Putting seven tries and 50 points on a French team that rocked up to Murrayfield looking unbeatable in the Six Nations blew the tournament wide open and sent shockwaves through the rugby world.
Inevitably the hype and the hope around this Scotland team will skyrocket as they head for that date with destiny in Dublin, but blocking out the external noise has been critical in this team finally starting to fulfil the potential many have long suspected it has.
They had to do it when the flak was flying after the capitulation against Argentina in November and the opening defeat by Italy in Rome a few weeks back. The mindset remains the same even as the criticism is replaced by plaudits after three wins on the bounce.
“It’s new territory for us going into the last game with a chance to win it,” said Russell.
“There will be a lot more outside noise after putting 50 points on France, but I think for us making sure we keep it within the circle and we keep doing what we’re doing, which is building a lot of it from the Argentina game in November with that tough loss, and then Italy at the start of the tournament.
“So, keep building up where we are. It’s never the perfect performance. And I think as long as we can keep the outside noise outside of the circle and not let it get to us, then that’s the main thing.”
After the missed opportunity of a first ever win over New Zealand and the devastating collapse from 21-0 up against the Pumas in November, and again after the misery in the monsoon of Rome, Gregor Townsend stood firmly in front of his players, steadfast in his belief that it would all come good. The head coach is now getting his rewards.
“Definitely a lot of credit to Gregor in terms of the belief that he’s had in us, especially after the November and Italy losses” Russell said.
“There was a lot of pressure on us throughout this tournament after November and then after Italy, but I think as a collective it’s so important that we’ve all stuck together. We’ve had each other’s back, especially after the Italy game.
“It just shows that we’re not the finished product at all, but we’re building in the right direction. That’s three wins on the bounce now, which is brilliant for us.
“But it’ll be a test next weekend and it’ll show where we’re actually at, going away to Ireland after three big wins, as to how we perform next weekend.
“We’re ready. We know what’s on the line now.”
