Born in the Bridge of Allan and schooled at Wallace High School, Russell worked for three years as a stone mason before rugby became his full-time profession.
The gifted stand-off was brought into the Scotstoun fold in the summer of 2012 after impressing in the club game with Falkirk and as a key member of the Scotland U20 team during the RBS 6 Nations.
In 2013, Russell spent 15 weeks in New Zealand's South Island, playing for clubs in the local area, as he was a recipient of the MacPhail scholarship to develop his game.
After an impressive season for Glasgow Warriors in 2013/14, he made his debut for Scotland when he lined up against USA in 2014 in the Summer internationals.
He established himself as Scotland's first choice during the 2015 6 Nations, starting 4 of the team's 5 matches & playing a leading role in securing the PRO12 for Glasgow Warriors.
Russell was selected in Scotland's 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and scored a try in the team's opening match victory over Japan.
In May 2017, he was named in the Scotland squad for the three-Test summer tour.
In June the same year, after steering Scotland to two impressive wins over Italy & Australia, Russell was drafted into the British & Irish Lions squad as Gatland looked to increase the size of his squad.
His performances for both Glasgow and his country attracted attention from a number of clubs across Europe and was offered a lucrative opportunity at another club.
He left Glasgow at the end of the 2017 season to join up with Racing 92 for the 2018-19 season.
Heading into the 2018 Six Nations, Russell had represented Scotland on 32 occasions and went on to start the 2019 edition of the tournament with 40 test caps.
He played in three of Scotland's group matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup scoring a try in the loss to Japan, as Scotland failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
In May 2020, he signed a new deal with Racing 92 having joined the club in 2018.
He went into the 2020 Top 14 season with 42 appearances for the French outfit and 188 points to his name.
In November 2020, he secured his future at the club with a new deal.
In May 2021, Russell gained selection for the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Lion #835, Appearances: 1
Russell has been selected to play for Scotland ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
ML June 2023
Career
 |
Scotland Inside Centre |
2014 - present |
 |
British & Irish Lions Fly Half |
2017 - present |
 |
Bath Rugby Fly Half |
2023 - present |
 |
Stirling County RFC Fly Half |
2011 - 2011 |
 |
Falkirk RFC Fly Half |
2011 - 2012 |
 |
Scotland U20's Fly Half |
2012 - 2012 |
 |
Ayr RFC Fly Half |
2012 - 2013 |
 |
Glasgow Warriors Inside Centre |
2013 - 2018 |
 |
Barbarians Fly Half |
2018 - 2018 |
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Wallace High School Fly Half |
|
 |
Racing 92 Fly Half |
2018 - 2023 |
