AS A player, I reckoned I played a part in some of rugby’s best half-back partnerships, with the likes of fellow Grand Slam winners Craig Chalmers, Rob Andrew, Jonny Wilkinson, and Gregor Townsend, who played outside me when we won the Five Nations in ’99.

I think I know what to look for, and what it takes, to be considered one of the best in the business at stand-off.

So going in to today’s opening Six Nations match of 2017 against Ireland, I believe the scene is set for Scotland’s Finn Russell to make this a season to remember.

If you want to be noticed, the Six Nations is the place to do it – particularly this year, with a British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand coming around in a few months.

Establish yourself as the top player in your position in the Six Nations, and you have a great chance of claiming pole position, being the number one pick, for the red jersey in New Zealand.

And Finn has what it takes to prove he is the best No.10 from these islands over the next few weeks.

I like what I’ve seen from Russell, both in terms of his rugby brain and his attitude.

There is a lot that reminds me of his Glasgow coach, Gregor Townsend. Toony could dictate play, and be super cool under pressure, and in control – then do something that put his side on the back foot. But did it worry him? Never – and Finn appears to have the same approach. Nothing seems to faze him, which as a stand-off, is priceless.

Still only 24-year-old, this is his chance to shine, especially with one of his rivals out of action for today’s Murrayfield clash.

This is the time, and even the game, for Finn to really set down a marker for the rest of the championship, and against his rivals for that No.10 jersey in the Lions team.

With Johnny Sexton injured, Russell has to be thinking that decent a player as he is, he has the measure of, and the beating of Ulster’s Paddy Jackson, the second-string Irish stand-off.

Finn has played a significant part in the results Glasgow have been turning in this season, against the likes of Leicester Tigers and Racing 92. He is familiar with those inside and outside him - Scotland are playing more like a club than a bunch of individuals assembled for a few weeks - and he should be setting the agenda, dictating both the direction and the pace that Scotland play at.

There is no getting away from it, he is a talented guy. Now he needs to string five consistent performances together, and this could be a summer to remember for him. If he slips below 100 per cent, others, like Sexton, when fit, and like George Ford or Owen Farrell of England, will be waiting.

There should be a real anticipation, not apprehension, if you are a player pulling your Scotland jersey on today.

Leave the worry and apprehension to us old fellas. Just go out and play like you want to play, leave nothing in the changing room, and don’t have any regrets.

Stuart Hogg is another potential game-changed for the Scots. He is a potent attacking threat. But we want Stuart Hogg to have his game ‘heid’ on; I want Stuart to get as close to the action as he can be, and see plenty of the ball. But I don’t want him making silly decisions, because he thinks he needs to entertain and score a contender for try of the season off every play, or, being rash and giving away silly penalties that absolutely kill you at this level.

“Up front, have a very effective pack; mobile, quick and with a real presence.

Some of that came in the shape of Ross Ford at hooker, mainly because he was a big auld unit to shift in the middle of the front row.

But Vern Cotter has decided Fraser Brown is the man, and that is a big call because it will put more onus on the props, especially Zander Fagerson at tight-head who is up against Jack McGrath, easily Ireland best prop last year.

Fagerson has done well so far, but this is a real step up in intensity, and in expectation. These are the games where you need to impose yourself. It is fine having the potential, and fine having people saying good things about you. But in the Six Nations, you are really stuck under the microscope and analysed, with twenty-odd TV cameras on you from all angles, and maybe even a referee who wants to make a name for himself as well.

You have to be thinking you are going to get one crack at this, whether you have a handful, or, a couple of dozen caps to your name. It is imperative you make a really good start, stamp your authority on the game.

And on paper, I think we have what it takes, in all the key positions to start with a win over Ireland.