Finn Russell eyes Lions link-up with Owen Farrell

Having gone head-to-head with Owen Farrell over the years, Finn Russell would relish the chance to team up with the England star on the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

Farrell’s departure for Racing 92 means the former captain, 32, will not be eligible for international duty for the two years of his contract in Paris.

However, his father, Andy, will be the Lions’ head coach and could select the playmaker for the three-Test tour down under.

Scotland skipper Russell, 31, will be hoping to add to his one Lions cap from 2021, when he struck up a friendship with Farrell.

“We view the game differently so there would be a bit of a clash there, but we are good enough mates that we would get on with it,” said Russell.

“We would have to find that balance between us, but he’s a brilliant player and I would love to play with him.

“I got on really well with Owen in 2021. I’d heard he was so focused and he was intense, but I didn’t see any of that at all.

“We have always had an interesting relationship when we have played against each other. Before, it was me against you and by the end of it, it was still me against you, but we could have a laugh while we were doing it.

“At the end I looked forward to playing against him, for his competitiveness, but I liked the bloke. It changed as the years have gone on.”