Russell 'would love' to tour with Lions again

Finn Russell "would love to" tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions next summer but is wary of devoting too much thought to the prospect.

The Scotland fly-half, 31, was part of the past two tours and featured prominently against South Africa in 2021.

"It's always there," the Bath player told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"There's a lot of rugby to be played before then, as always.

"It's all going to come down to how we perform on the pitch and how we play international level and how we then hold the consistency if you're not injured. There's so many variables.

"The more you think about it... you're going to just be tired from it. All I can really do is just do my best. I'd love to go again.

"Marcus [Smith], George Ford, Fin Smith, Jack Crowley, Ross Bird - there's so many others who want to go."

Russell helped Bath reach last season's Premiership final, where they lost to Northampton Saints - "I'm pretty lucky, actually, I can get over it quite quickly" - and stayed at home this summer while Scotland toured.

The former Glasgow Warriors and Racing 92 player recently became a father for the second time and valued the time off.

"My lifestyle's changed a lot since having kids," he said. "At my age, stage, it's probably a good thing.

"I'd like to think I'm quite hands-on. I try and do what I can."