Former South Africa and Italy head coach Nick Mallett would not pick Scotland co-captain Finn Russell for the British and Irish Lions later this year, insisting the fly-half “makes too many mistakes”.
The Bath and Scotland star, who is many people’s favourite to start in the Lions No.10 jersey against the Wallabies, has had a quiet start to his Guinness Six Nations so far having been forced from the field after 20 minutes against Ireland a week after a below-par performance against Italy.
Appearing on RugbyPass TV’s upcoming episode of Boks Office, the South African said he would “definitely” pick former England captain Owen Farrell, who is ineligible to represent his country while playing in the Top 14 for Racing 92. Those restrictions do not apply to the Lions though, and despite experiencing a less-than-ideal first season in Paris, Mallett has backed him to make his fourth tour.
Despite neither having ten caps to their name yet, the former Springbok said he would pick Ireland’s Sam Prendergast and England’s Fin Smith as the two fly-halves alongside Farrell, saying “you know what you get from those three”.
The Englishman and Irishman are fresh from both collecting player of the match gongs in victories over France and Scotland, respectively, and would have immeasurably boosted their Lions chances with those performances- enough to oust Russell in Mallett’s eyes.
“I don’t think I’d take Russell on the Lions,” he said. “I think he’d be bad for the squad if he’s in the squad and not starting.
“Go Farrell, Fin Smith and Prendergast. Fin Smith will be good enough too, but Farrell definitely. You know what you get from those three.
“If you take [Russell] he’s got to start, he’s got to be your playmaker and unfortunately I think he makes too many mistakes at 10 for my liking. He blows hot and cold and everyone’s very excited when he does a reverse pass out the back but when it gets intercepted or goes directly into touch it’s just not good.”
