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Rugby

'I whisper to him and it stays' | Simon Zebo on Finn Russell connection

Simon Zebo has opened up about his on-pitch connection with Finn Russell in his wide-ranging inte...



Rugby

'I whisper to him and it stays' | Simon Zebo on Finn Russell connection

Simon Zebo has opened up about his on-pitch connection with Finn Russell in his wide-ranging interview on Monday Night Rugby.

Zebo spoke about 'bouncing off' the Scotsman and providing an Anglophone outlet for Russell both on and off the pitch.

Zebo and Russell

"We bounce off each other on the pitch. I would notice that he would be looking for me - a friendly voice always helps, as well.

"He gets a few communications in English at times! He is very, very open-minded.

"We bounce off each other, but I whisper to him on the pitch and it stays.

"If I say chip over the top, then I know that as soon as the ball hits his hands then he is going to do that. He is really, really good."

Munster

There was one particular incident against Munster that particularly stuck out.

"He has unbelievable trust [in me]. During the Munster game at Thomond Park, before Juan Imhoff scored, me and him were just having a little conversation.

"How can I say this? In a more polite way, I was saying 'he is in trouble'!

"It was almost a general conversation, in front of 26,000 people shouting and screaming, and I was saying 'he is in trouble, in front of you.' He said 'where?'

"The next play, he just catches the ball right in front of [the Munster player], steps off his right, goes through the gap and we score a try.

"It is just that sort of trust. I think that Jeremy Loughman had an injury to his leg, he was hobbling quite badly.

"It was easy for us to see, but it was a little highlight of our combination both on the pitch and off the pitch."

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