Scotland recall Russell for All Blacks clash

Finn Russell has been summoned straight back into Scotland's starting line-up to play New Zealand at Murrayfield on Sunday just days after being recalled by coach Gregor Townsend.

The gifted flyhalf, who plays his club rugby for Paris-based Racing 92, was controversially left out from the original squad for the Autumn Nations Series and missed the first two Tests in what appeared to be the latest example of a strained relationship between player and coach.

Adam Hastings, Blair Kinghorn and Ross Thompson were chosen ahead of Russell, with Townsend citing "form and consistency" levels as the key criteria for his selection.

But Russell was called up ahead of the All Blacks clash after Hastings, the son of Scotland great Gavin Hastings, was ruled out through injury following Saturday's 28-12 win over Fiji.

And the 30-year-old has now leapfrogged Kinghorn, with the Edinburgh back on the bench.

Russell walked out on the Scotland squad prior to the 2020 Six Nations after publicly criticising Townsend's methods.

The stand-off was also dropped for last season's Six Nations game against Ireland after it emerged he had breached team protocol by going out drinking in Edinburgh along with five other players.

Russell, in common with several senior players, was rested from the pre-season tour of South America only for former Scotland playmaker Townsend to spark a heated debate when he left him out of his squad for the end-of-year Tests.

But Russell's inclusion for this weekend's match means he joins forces with Ali Price as Scotland field the same halfback partnership they deployed in their last meeting against New Zealand - an agonising 22-17 loss at Murrayfield in 2017.

Sione Tuipulotu has been recalled alongside Chris Harris in midfield