Rugby World Cup 2023: Finn Russell says Scotland can bounce back from South Africa loss | Rugby Union News

Scottish halfback Finn Russell is confident his side can return to the Rugby World Cup despite a disappointing loss to South Africa in Marseille; Scotland faces Tonga on September 24; Romania and Ireland are also in Group B

Finn Russell hopes a two-week break between matches will allow Scotland to regroup and get Sunday’s disappointing World Cup opener against South Africa out of their system.

The Scots were unable to spark their reckless attacking style as they crashed 18-3 to the Springboks in Marseille, losing the second half 12-0.

This was the lowest match for Gregor Townsend’s side since their first match of the 2019 World Cup when they lost 27-3 to Ireland.

Fly-half Russell said: “I’m very disappointed with the result but also with the second half. I don’t think we showed a true reflection of the team we are. It’s very disappointing.”

The Scots will not play again until they face Tonga in Nice on Sunday 24 September.

When they return to action, they know they must win all three of their remaining matches – the other two against Romania and Ireland – if they are to have a chance of emerging from a massive second group to reach the quarter-finals.

Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player

Highlights from day three of the Rugby World Cup in France as defending champions South Africa, Japan and Wales claimed victories. Credit: RWCL

“That’s probably where we’ll be after the first game,” Russell said.

“Ideally, it wouldn’t have been like that, but now we’re in this situation, we need to pick ourselves back up, we need to move forward.

“We have Tonga and then Romania, so we need to go into these matches as well prepared as possible and look forward to playing the best we can.

South Africa’s Kurt Lee Arendse scores a try during the Rugby World Cup match against Scotland

“We had a 10-minute period where we allowed South Africa two tries, so we will talk about how we can improve after that second half and come out stronger straight away.” [after half-time] So it doesn’t happen again.

“Despite our disappointment, there is still a lot to work on and there is still everything to play for.”

Scotland’s players had time off with their families for the first part of this week to recover from the mental and physical demands of facing the world champions in their first match.

Russell, who is competing in the World Cup finals for the third time, vowed they would return ready for their must-win match against Tonga.

“We’ve got two weeks now so we’ll have the next few days away from rugby,” the 30-year-old said.

Russell in action during a Rugby World Cup match between South Africa

“It was very physically and mentally demanding.

“The next few days we will take a break from the rugby, refresh ourselves and come back on Thursday and start preparing for Tonga – it’s a huge game for us.

“We have everything to play for now and to some extent nothing to lose.

“As difficult as it is to take, in sport you have to come back as quickly as possible and I think the boys will do that.”

Russell was in action on Sunday and looked like he might be forced off in the first half after a heavy collision left him on the ground and receiving lengthy treatment.

He said, “I’m fine.” “I was shot in the ribs and I think I was in a very bad state fortunately.

“The second incident was a shock that happens in rugby.

“These crashes happen and this is part of it. Fortunately nothing is that bad.”

“I’ll be good to play the next game.”