THE ENTERTAINER

He's one of the most talked-about players on the planet and one of the hardest to define. But the way he plays rugby puts butts in seats. In this exclusive interview, we ask FINN RUSSELL all about our game

- MARK PALMER

IF YOU’RE someone who still subscribes to the caricature of Finn Russell as a wanton maverick, a player in thrall to his own impulses rather than the good of the team, it may surprise you to hear that during our 30-minute conversation he uses the word “balance” no fewer than 17 times.

There is, Russell believes, a pleasing and effective balance to the way that Bath attack at the moment, but not enough of one when it comes to Scotland and their protracted attempts to turn promise into something substantial.

Balance is also what Russell identifies as being absolutely key to the business of entertainment, or perhaps more accurately, the entertainment side of his business.

The 31-year-old’s every natural inclination is towards doing things with flair, and he also believes that those kinds of magic moments are what attract eyeballs and drive cut-through.

On the flip side, however, Russell has no intention of going through his entire playing career with a single Pro12 medal to show for his on-field efforts. He is having “a lot of fun” at Bath in his first season in the West Country, but is in no doubt as to what sits at the heart of his job spec.

“Entertainment value is definitely the thing that gets people watching your sport, and everyone within rugby should be trying to make it as exciting as possible,” Russell begins.

“But in the professional game, it comes down to winning and losing for a lot of teams and that can be the overriding mindset: we are here to win, we are not here to entertain.