Mohammed Bahaa
Bath fly-half Finn Russell has his eye on extending his rugby career and would like to continue playing until at least the 2027 World Cup. Despite constant talk of the possibility of retirement, Russell is keen to continue leading the team as Scotland’s main playmaker for many years to come.
Russell, co-captain of the Scotland national team, took a revitalising break from the last tour of the Americas to refresh himself mentally ahead of next season. It was a much-needed break for Russell, who had previously struggled with burnout and poor performance, leaving him questioning his future with the national team. He believes the rigorous demands of professional rugby contributed to his burnout, which resulted in him gaining eight kilos and thinking about his future in rugby.
Now in the “best shape I’ve been in for a long time”, and with the birth of his second daughter in January, Russell sees retirement as a long way off. “I’ll be 35 at the next World Cup so I’ll definitely be playing in that,” he said. “I’ll be 32 next month so people ask me, ‘What are you going to do after that?’ but I still see myself having six or seven years left.”
Russell is clear that he is determined to keep playing as long as he enjoys it and is in top form. “I’m not looking to retire anytime soon, either from rugby or from international rugby. I’m going to play for as long as I can,” he said. “Some players might think they’ll retire at 34 and get a job, but for me, as long as I’m still enjoying it and playing well, there’s no point in retiring.”
Outside of his current playing career, Russell has secured his financial future by developing a property portfolio in Scotland, funded by a lucrative contract with Bath that is thought to be worth $1.3 million per year. A brilliant first season with Bath saw him lead the team to the Gallagher Premiership final, where they narrowly missed out on victory against Northampton.
Russell would like to go into coaching in the future, but not in a conventional role. He is particularly interested in working with young fly-halves and would like to become a consulting coach. “If I were to coach, I would like to be a consulting coach and develop young teenagers,” Russell said. He hopes to inspire young players with his unique perspective on the game, particularly their ability to quickly overcome mistakes. “I would like to pass that mindset on to others because a lot of young players quickly retreat into their shells.”
Finn Russell remains committed to his path, experiencing the joys and overcoming the hardships of a rugby career, driven by a desire to leave lifelong memories for his family and to be a strong presence on the rugby field for as long as possible.