O’Driscoll: Bath’s Russell among ‘most talented’ in world, Lawrence form ‘infectious’

Brian O’Driscoll gave high praise to Bath duo Finn Russell and Ollie Lawrence as Johann van Graan’s side look to boost their play-off chances in the Premiership run-in.

Bath are hopeful of building on their eighth-place finish last season and are on course for a top-four finish this year with the play-offs looming.

Russell and Lawrence have been a crucial part of Bath’s success, and O’Driscoll argued that the former is among the “most talented” players in world rugby.

“There are so many components to his game,” the former Ireland captain told TNT Sports.

“The kick to re-gather, his passing, his capacity to put players into hold. This guy, for me, is arguably one of the most talented in world rugby. His capacity to pick the correct option right at the line time and time again is a big differentiator.

“He has bucket-loads of confidence, he’ll try anything and that’s why you have to be on high alert as a team mate, anything could go at any one time.

“[He is] challenging to read off sometimes because he breaks from the script, but so exciting from a viewership point of view and I always look forward to covering games which Finn Russell is involved in because he’s the person you would buy your ticket to come and watch.”

Russell ranks above all other fly-halves in the Premiership this season in plenty of areas, including points, kicks in play, try assists, try kick assists and offloads.

David Flatman credited Russell for his courage to try “outrageous things”, a trait he feels is rare to have at the elite level with millions watching on.

“[He is] incredibly relaxed,” Flatman said. “It looks like he feels like he knows exactly what do at all times. A lot of people talk about his attitude and how much he smiles, and he can try something outrageous, try something simple, make a mistake like everyone does and just move on.

“I think that is rarer than you think even at the very top level. He just doesn’t seem to be affected by things going wrong. A wonderful player and it is no wonder everyone in the Bath team has started looking better since he arrived.”

Lawrence has been just as important for Bath and O’Driscoll believes his form on international duty with England has helped his club side.

“This guy has been sensational for Bath this year,” O’Driscoll told TNT Sports. “I think he has really moved up his game internationally now.

“The World Cup didn’t go for him as he would have liked, but he’s now becoming a regular starter for England, scoring tries, but sometimes the confidence you take from excelling at an international level, you bring that back to the club and it’s infectious for all those around, you can see it.

“He wants the ball, he’s playing with one of the best ten’s in the world. He’s one of the in-form players in Europe at the moment.”

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