Scotland playmaker Finn Russell has expressed his eagerness to play alongside England’s Owen Farrell during the British & Irish Lions' 2025 tour of Australia. 

Despite both players being natural fly-halves, Russell believes they can form an effective partnership in the Lions' backline.

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The Lions, one of rugby's most storied teams, are set to take on the Wallabies next year, and Russell hopes to reunite with Farrell, with whom he has shared a unique on-field dynamic. 

Both players have top-level experience, with Russell currently playing for Bath in the Premiership and having spent five years with Racing 92 in France, the club Farrell will be joining next season.

Reflecting on their previous collaborations, Russell pointed to the Lions' 2021 tour, where he played at fly-half, and Farrell slotted in at inside center during a warm-up match. While their styles differ, Russell is confident they can complement each other.

“I think we view the game differently, so there would be a bit of a clash there, but I think we would be good enough mates that we would get on with it and find that middle ground,” Russell told the Daily Mail. “He’s a brilliant player, and I’d love to play with him.”

Russell went on to explain that his relationship with Farrell has evolved from a competitive rivalry to a mutual respect and friendship. 

“At the start, it was head-to-head, but recently, even before the Lions, it turned into a friendship,” he said. “Maybe we’ve both changed as we’ve played against each other and chatted off the pitch. I like the bloke.”

Both players have toured with the Lions in New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021. Farrell was a regular feature on both tours, while Russell initially joined as an injury replacement in 2017 but played a significant role in 2021.

As the countdown to the 2025 Lions tour begins, Russell is seen as a strong contender for the No. 10 jersey, with fans eager for the return of a full-scale tour after the pandemic restrictions in 2021. 

For Russell, the prospect of playing in front of passionate fans adds even more excitement to the upcoming campaign.

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