Townsend insists 'outstanding goal-kicker' Russell not to blame for Scots' painful defeat 

Visitors came up just one point shy of England at Twickenham with their out-half missing all three conversions 

WATCHING AND WONDERING: Scotland players after the Guinness Men's Six Nations match at the Allianz Stadium, London. Pic: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire.

Gregor Townsend backed "outstanding goal-kicker" Finn Russell to remain in the role following his trio of costly conversion misses during Scotland's agonising 16-15 Guinness Six Nations defeat to England.

Co-captain Russell squandered a last-gasp kick for victory at Allianz Stadium after Duhan Van der Merwe's dramatic try put the Scots on the brink of extending their four-year stranglehold on the Calcutta Cup.