Finn Russell gets Scotland Six Nations Valentine's Day love bomb but concerns grow over injuries

The stand-off had a hand in all three of his team’s first-half tires and delivered what Townsend felt was one of his best displays for the national team.

England came to Edinburgh on the back of a 12-match winning run but Scotland blew them away. The 31-20 bonus-point victory puts them top of the Six Nations table after two matches.

“I thought that was one of Finn Russell's best games for Scotland and the work rate of our forwards was superb,” said Townsend who had come under pressure after his side had lost their opening game of the championship to Italy in Rome.

“He was very composed. I thought the decision-making of the half-backs was outstanding. We asked them to be brave this week. I won't explain what that means in our game plan, but there are some big decisions. It's on our half-backs at times and obviously a lot of that is on Finn. He's very accurate.

“I love seeing him running. He's one of the best ball-carrying 10s in the world. He was very composed during times where we were on the back foot and we just had to take a breather.

“Finn came into this championship with goals of what he wants to get out of his game and linking that with what the team needs. That's been great to see. Even last week, I thought he had a really composed performance.”

Russell produced a magical one-handed assist for Huw Jones’ opening try then sparked the attack which ended with a score for Jamie Ritchie. It was also his through kick that led to a fumble by Ellis Genge which Ben White capitalised on. Jones scored his second try of the match in the second half to ensure Scotland won with a bonus point.

White and Jones praised

“I thought Ben White's kicking was superb,” added Townsend. “Some of his exit kicks were beyond the halfway line. He scored again in this fixture [his fourth try in five games against England]. You see on the outside, his work rate, his defence, his ball-carrying. What a leader he was.”

For Jones, it was his seventh and eighth tries in the Calcutta Cup, a record that also includes doubles in 2017 and 2018.

“Huw Jones [got] two tries in this fixture again,” said the coach. “He held England over the line, playing on the wing. The wingers were outstanding. Tom Jordan played with just aggression and determination to go forward. Really good in the air. I'll not go through every forward. The forward back was superb.”

The win came at a cost for Scotland who will face Wales in Cardiff next Saturday. Jack Dempsey, Ritchie and Jamie Dobie all picked up injuries and the fear is that the former two could miss the remainder of the Six Nations.

“I think they're all pretty serious injuries,” said Townsend. “I don't usually say that. Let's wait and see. I think both Jack and Jamie Ritchie looked serious.

“Jamie Dobie was a bit more positive in the changing room. It's the third Test match in a row coming up. It would take a lot to turn around to be available for training this week. We knew that coming into these three games. We have a strong squad. We had an A game last week.

“Players have played a lot of rugby. Other players that weren't involved in the A game have trained with us. I'm sure there'll be a different team next weekend.

“Jack [Dempsey] has a bicep injury. There's been a few of them this season from a number of teams. You can pretty much diagnose quite quickly that it's serious.”

Ritchie was replaced at half-time after he hyper-extended knee. “Let's hope there's no ligament tears,” added Townsend, who confirmed that Dobie had injured his shoulder.

The coach, who was taking charge of Scotland for the 100th time, said the job still gave him “a huge purpose in life”.

“I'm so proud,” he said. “During that first 20-30 minutes, I had to snap myself out of what I was thinking because it was just tremendous. Seeing the rugby the players were playing, I had to realise I was a coach again. I snapped out of it quite quickly but obviously the second half, we were getting penalised at times but we kept together.

“How we defended our line and then how we regained control, that makes me equally as proud as how we started the game. It's a little while now after the final whistle and we've had a good time together in the changing room. These are the emotions that make you realise that coaching and still being involved in the game is hugely rewarding.

“It gives you massive purpose in your life and why you do it. It's the players that drive our performance. The players drove it during the week and they drove it today in the game.”

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