France v Scotland: Seymour confident Scots can cope without Russell
Last updated on .From the section Scottish Rugby
Six Nations: France v Scotland |
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Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 23 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT |
Coverage: Watch on BBC One; listen on BBC Radio Scotland 92-95 & 5live sports extra; TV, radio & live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app |
Scotland are "fully capable of executing the game plan" despite Finn Russell's absence against France, says Tommy Seymour.
Fly-half Russell, 26, has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations trip to Paris after failing a concussion test.
Gregor Townsend's side have won one and lost one so far in this year's championship.
"We won't be changing massively the things we'll be looking to do based on one injury," said Seymour, 30.
"We've got a style of play we want to adhere to. Finn has been playing really well and it's a shame, but these guys are fully capable of executing the game plan.
"We've been focusing on the game and these guys have all got the experience and slot naturally into their position. We've just faced this week as we would any other and just dealt with what we've been dealt."
Russell was replaced in the first half of Racing 92's 34-29 defeat by Top 14 leaders Toulouse on Sunday after suffering a head knock.
On Tuesday, Scotland said he had not satisfied the requirements of the "graduated return to play protocol" for concussion cases and Russell will return to the care of his club's medical team.
Scotland had already called up Worcester Warriors' Duncan Weir as cover, with Glasgow Warriors duo Peter Horne and Adam Hastings in the frame to start at the Stade de France.
And winger Seymour said: "It's a real shame to lose Finn, but I have complete confidence in all three of them that all three of them can come in and do a wonderful job for us.
"They're all experienced at this level, they've all shown both at club and international level they can manage a game and manage it very well and be standout performers."
Injuries 'not ideal'
Back-row Magnus Bradbury, wing Dougie Fife and centre James Johnstone, all Edinburgh, and Glasgow Warriors forwards Zander Fagerson and George Turner were also added to the squad this week.
Warriors pair George Horne and Stafford McDowall, as well as Edinburgh front-row forwards David Cherry, Murray McCallum and Leicester Tigers forward Jake Kerr, have dropped out.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is already without his first-choice back-row from last year in John Barclay, Hamish Watson and Ryan Wilson, as well as in-form forward Sam Skinner and key prop WP Nel.
Last week, he lost British and Irish Lions full-back Stuart Hogg and centre Huw Jones to injuries that may keep them out for the remainder of the tournament.
"It's not ideal that we've lost the guys we've lost, but we've been talking for quite a long time about the depth we've created and this is a good test for us," Seymour added.
'World-class Russell is irreplaceable' - analysis
Former Scotland sevens scrum-half Colin Gregor on Radio Scotland
Finn Russell is irreplaceable. He is a world-class operator just now. That first half against Ireland, he was absolutely fantastic.
Whoever comes in, whether it's Horne or Hastings, they play in a similar manner, so I think Scotland can still look to attack France with the high-tempo, all-action rugby that is going to be required.
Going over to Stade de France, it's an incredibly hostile environment against a French team that are very much up against it, so I would go for Horne for that extra bit of experience that he has.
There is big pressure on this Scotland team. Losing to Ireland is really disappointing and, with both Wales and England to come and in good form, it is really important that they get a result.
Scotland squad
Forwards: Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors), Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors); Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Allan Dell (Edinburgh), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), John Hardie (Newcastle Falcons), Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), D'Arcy Rae (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), George Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors).
Backs: Chris Dean (Edinburgh), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hughes (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), James Johnstone (Edinburgh), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Henry Pyrgos (Edinburgh), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors).
Comments
Join the conversation
Barclay
Denton
Hardie
M. Fagerson
Russell
Jones
Hogg
Watson
Wilson
Skinner
Thompson
Scott
Taylor
Bennett
R. Gray and more.
I don't think any team in the 6NS would cope with that amount of injuries lol
Finn Russell is a great talent, hope he’s back soon
There will be a big dose of karma coming O'Mahonys way for that tackle on Hogg. Knew exactly what he was doing, cynical as they come
1) no one has heard of you
2) no one cares who you are
Got a sneaky feeling Laidlaw will play an utter blinder with all the responsibility on his shoulders.
Best wishes to Scotland from this sassenach at least
Curry
B.Vunipola
Underhill
N.Hughes
O.Farrell
Tuilagi
Daly
Armand
Wilson
Launchbury
Lawes
Teo
Slade
Joseph
Kruis
Can England cope without that lot?
The French love playing high risk rugby.
Hopefully it will result in a very entertaining game.
(and please can Scotland be fit for the world cup?)
Just remind us all where you finished last year's 6 Nations! Oh yes, your side wasn't ravaged by injury and before you starting banging on about heritage - you have your share of Pacific Englanders!!
Go comment on your own HYS.
All we heard before the 6 nations was how Scotland were going to win the grand slam.....
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You must learn to ignore the voices in your head. They're not real.
Shame for Scotland who'd looked bright over the autumn but have lost some key personnel now. A bruising encounter against a huge France side is probably the last thing they need right now.