Bridge of Allan rugby star Russell carves up Wales as Scotland start Six Nations with a bang

Finn Russell was at his brilliant best as he pulled all the strings as Scotland swept aside Wales to maintain their strong start in the Six Nations.

The Bridge of Allan maverick was at the centre of all the action as he used his kicks and varied range of passing to dictate the Scots’ attack in the 35-7 thumping of Wales at Murrayfield.

The 30-year-old made a number of errors in the opening half. However, after the break the Bath-bound fly-half was in the thick of the action as he controlled the match.

Playing right on the edge, the Racing 92 star confidently set up wave-after-wave of Scotland assaults against the beleaguered Welsh defence.

The commanding victory leaves Scotland second in the Six Nations table, trailing world number ones Ireland by two points of a difference.

They will now travel to Paris a week on Sunday for their toughest test to date against a French side currently ranked number two in the world.

Saturday’s joyous victory handed Scotland the Doddie Weir Cup – the trophy named in honour of the Scotland great who died from Motor Neurone Disease in November last year.

Their 35-7 victory was the biggest winning margin for Scotland over Wales in 140 years of the fixture as Russell kicked ten points.

Following his Murrayfield heroics, Russell said his current form is down to him maturing after he became a father for the first time last year.

“I’ve matured since my partner fell pregnant and the baby arrived [in November],” he said.

“It gave me a new responsibility straight away. It wasn’t just me, it was three of us. That helped.

“The last four-and-a-half years I’ve been in Paris on my own. My partner moved over just after the Six Nations last year, and having someone with me day in and day out, well I needed