Sawt Falasteen - Russell says Scotland have 'mindset' of Six Nations title contenders

Scotland have not won European rugby union's showpiece tournament since topping the standings in the final edition of the old Five Nations in 1999.

And they have yet to record a top-two finish in the Six Nations era, a fact made all the more frustrating in recent seasons given the talent available to Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.

A lack of depth will always be an issue for a country with just two professional club teams but Scotland have also suffered from self-inflicted wounds at key stages of games.

Scotland co-captain Russell, however, was in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday's match at Murrayfield.

"I think the last few years we've come in with some expectations and with the group that we've got, I think it's quite right to have those expectations," Russell said on Friday.

"I think we've come in with a real good mindset, which in my opinion has been different to any of the tournaments I've been involved in, which is great to see."

While the Six Nations title has proved elusive, Scotland players have enjoyed success at club level.

Glasgow won the United Rugby Championship last year and Blair Kinghorn completed a Top 14 and European Champions Cup double at French giants Toulouse.

"Out of the boys in the squad this weekend there's more than half of us that have been either in finals or won finals over the last year, so I think that's probably changed the mindset," said gifted Bath fly-half Russell.

"In the past, you think 'What it's like to win?' -- a lot of boys hadn't won anything -- but now we've got half the team that's won stuff."

Russell, 32, has been a key figure for English Premiership leaders Bath this season, reining in his renowned attacking game

"I'm probably not playing with as much flair as I've done when I was younger but I think my game management's been really good," he said.

"I've taken the line on a little bit more, I've actually scored a couple of tries this year which I didn't do last year."

Russell expects Italy to provide a tough challenge after the Azzurri shocked Scotland 31-29 in Rome last year, describing them as "the best, strongest Italian team that I've faced".

N.Awad--SF-PST