FINN RUSSELL said today that Scotland can already claim to be a genuine force as they look to ditch their tag as rugby’s nearly men.

Scotland head to Rome for their final Six Nations match on Saturday with little else than pride to play for, having seen their title hopes wiped out in Dublin.

Gregor Townsend admitted last weekend’s 28-8 defeat to Ireland highlighted the strides his side still have to make after failing to match the ruthlessness of Joe Schmidt’s grand slam-chasers.