Fly-halves like Russell play not just in the moment, but by picturing what happens next. It is like: “This is what I see, this is what I’m going to do – and I want everyone to read it, and play off me.”
Russell’s rugby intelligence makes him one of those rare players who can see space before most people, and then do something to manipulate defenders into going where he wants them to. It’s like a grandmaster chess player continually manipulating the board and getting people into a position that he can exploit.
We have seen him do this for Glasgow, then Racing 92, and now for Bath. There has been no World Cup hangover for Russell, who has already shown his array of skills for his new club since making his debut against Newcastle at The Rec. The following weekend he exploited a four-on-three against Saracens by running between two defenders and passing out of the side to a support runner, creating the overlap for a try.
We have also seen his quality and variety of passing and pinpoint kick-pass create other opportunities for Bath in a narrow home loss against Leicester and last weekend’s thumping away win over Gloucester.
What’s clear is that by showing what he can do from the offset there has been no danger of Russell going into his shell, or holding back. Instead, it has put the emphasis on is new team-mates reacting to his prompts – and it is something that is familiar to me, because in my era at Bath we were always told “find the ball, follow the ball-carrier”.
However, a lot of Bath players in the late 1980s and 1990s didn’t play for England because they wanted to play a mauling game, whereas at Bath we played a faster rucking game – so going from Bath to England you had to change your style.
Esta historia es de la edición November 19, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 19, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Holders Kent are back in business
KENT began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with a thrilling victory over Hampshire.
Lightning Bo bags 'amazing' fab four
RAPID winger Bo Westcombe-Evans stormed her way to an incredible four tries to help Loughborough Lightning secure maximum points over their nearest league rivals, Harlequins.
'Privilege to play in Jonny's 10 jersey'
ACHIEVING his boyhood dream of replicating the highs of Jonny Wilkinson in No.10 Newcastle's shirt has led to Brett Connon extending his stay at the Premiership's struggling side.
Best I've felt for six years - Roux
QUINN Roux is feeling in the best shape of his life but the former Ireland international admits it'll be a stretch for him to be around at Bath for as long as Johann van Graan.
Lake's at double to sink the Dragons
OSPREYS maximum claimed points to keep alive their mathematical hopes of making the playoffs while also clinching the Welsh Shield.
Falcons' misery but hosts restore pride
THE battle of the battered ended with Newcastle becoming the third team to go through a Premiership campaign without a victory and generGloucester ating cheers rather than jeers.
It's away day delight as Sharks bite Sarries
SALE ended their StoneX curse to reach the Premiership play-offs for a second straight season and deny Saracens a home semi-final courtesy of an almighty performance from their beefy back row.
Big win but it's not enough for Bears
BRISTOL Bears ended their season in style with a seven-try victory against Harlequins, but missed out on a spot in the play-offs after Sale's win at Saracens.
Ruthless Bath crush Saints on perfect day
BATH have been in the top four all season and on a tense super afternoon, Saturday with play-off places at stake, they made no mistake against an understrength and underwhelming Saints XV.
Ex-Wasps buzzing for European glory
THIBAUD Flament has risen from Loughborough University's fifth team to become a French international with the intention of next weekend becoming a Champions Cup winner again.