Brent Russell

Brent Russell

Robert Brent Russell (born 5 March 1980) is a South African rugby union player. He is a "utility back" (capable of playing fullback, fly-half or wing) who plays for Clermont in the French Top 14. Previously, he had played with Saracens in England, and before that the Sharks in the Currie Cup and the Sharks in the Super 14 for many years. He also featured frequently in the Springbok squad before his departure for Europe. He won 23caps and scored 40 points (8 tries) for his country.

Russell was born in Port Elizabeth, but was schooled at Selborne College in East London. He was quickly brought up to international rugby level when he was selected for the 2002 Springboks team after making a good impression whilst in the national sevens team. In that year, he scored an especially memorable try in the Tri Nations against the Australian Wallabies in which he wriggled out of a seemingly sure tackle and successfully eluded several Wallabies on his way to the tryline. However, he has not been able to consistently break into the Boks lineup in recent years. He is a relatively small player, but what he lacks in size and strength he makes up in speed, acceleration, agility and creativity. He is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous backline players in South Africa for this very reason as he has the ability to score a try "out of nothing".

Unfortunately Russell is a victim of his own versatility, with coaches unsure in which position to place him. Although a favourite with the fans and a player of outstanding talent, he made few starts for the Sharks during the 2005/06 season, forcing him to make a move to Western Province where it was said he would be given plenty of game time and would also see him play at fly-half for the Stormers in the Super 14 rather than the utility role he fulfilled at the Sharks.^[1]

Russell signed for Saracens F.C. in time for their campaign in 2007. In 2008 Russell signed for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14.^[2]

References

External links

"SA Rugby Player Profile – Brent Russell". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
Profile at Saracens Official Site
Saracens Rugby Website

Squads

Sharks – 2004 Currie Cup Premier Division

Forwards	BJ Botha Nico Breedt Warren Britz Deon Carstens Eduard Coetzee Marc de Marigny Delarey du Preez Paul Hoffman Albertus Mulder Johan Muller Sangoni Mxoli Rocky Peters John Smit Shaun Sowerby Solly Tyibilika Albert van den Berg Charl van Rensburg AJ Venter Luke Watson Gavin Whittingham

Backs	Conrad Barnard Stephen Brink Craig Davidson Sam Gerber Trevor Halstead Brett Hennessey Sean Hennessy Adi Jacobs Deon Kayser Rudi Keil Henno Mentz Sandile Nxumalo Grant Rees Brent Russell Mzwandile Stick Enrico Swartz Dave von Hoesslin

Coach	Kevin Putt

S.A. Sevens – 2003–04 World Sevens Series

Squad	Bennie Adams Stefan Basson Tonderai Chavhanga Paul Delport Marc de Marigny Danwel Demas Nicolas Eyre Kabamba Floors Kevin Foote Eugene Francis Bryan Habana Dale Heidtmann Fabian Juries Akona Ndungane Earl Rose Brent Russell Marius Schoeman Mzwandile Stick Wayne van Heerden José van Rensburg Jaco van Schalkwyk

Coach	Vlok Cilliers / Paul Treu

S.A. Sevens – 2002–03 World Sevens Series

Squad	Alshaun Bock Helgard Brink Darryl Coeries Rudi Coetzee Marc de Marigny Malan du Plessis Grant Esterhuizen Nicolas Eyre Ian Fihlani Kevin Foote Eugene Francis Hannru Haupt Alten Hulme Conrad Jantjes Fabian Juries Jorrie Müller Neil Powell Jaco Pretorius Earl Rose Brent Russell Marius Schoeman Rodger Smith Paul Treu Leon van der Heever José van Rensburg Jaco van Schalkwyk

Coach	Chester Williams

S.A. Sevens – 2001–02 World Sevens Series

Squad	Helgard Brink Gerrie Britz Jean de Villiers Ian Fihlani Josh Fowles Eugene Francis Dale Heidtmann Fabian Juries Mac Masina Thobela Mdaka Jorrie Müller Anton Pitout Neil Powell Brent Russell Marius Schoeman Egon Seconds Paul Treu Wayne van Heerden Jan-Harm van Wyk Antonius Verhoeven Ashwin Willemse

Coach	Chester Williams

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