Win tastes sweet for Russell after drama caps finest season

The Bath fly-half, on his third Lions tour, calls series victory 'so special' despite feeling annoyed by his kicking

- Gerard Meagher

Finn Russell is standing deep inside Melbourne Cricket Ground wearing Tom Lynagh's Australia shirt and a traditional Polynesian garland adorned with caramel Wallabies around his neck. After helping the British & Irish Lions to secure a first series win in 12 years, he is asked if it is the best night of his life. He replies: "Can I tell you tomorrow?"

Suffice it to say that the dramatic victory on Saturday was the final flourish to the finest season of Russell's career. Add a victorious Lions series to the treble achieved with Bath for someone whose talents had not previously been rewarded with as much silverware as would be expected and it matters little to the Scotland No 10 that the tourists did things the hard way in Melbourne.

Indeed, ever the showman, Russell believes the last-gasp nature of the Lions' victory enhances it. An hour or so after full time the Lions returned to the field, taking garden chairs with them to sit and "have a sing-song", according to Tommy Freeman.

So dramatic was Hugo Keenan's last-minute try that the Lions felt compelled to recreate it.

"The fact that it went down to the last play and we were pretty much behind the whole way, all the game until then, it makes it more satisfying and that's what these tours are about," Russell said.