Russell toured with the Lions in South Africa four years ago and, after missing out on the matchday squads for the first two Tests, he was thrust into the decider with Dan Biggar injured in the first 10 minutes.
Russell mixed his game-breaking moments with shrewd game management on that occasion, even if he could not avert a 19-16 defeat that sent the series south.
He is still the leading contender to steer the tourists’ ship this time around, but Saturday’s show did not strengthen his grip on the shirt.
There was the obvious mistake: throwing a brain-fade pass straight into Ignacio Brex’s hands cost his team seven points.
But there were other slips, with an offload into touch, a failure to put Stafford McDowall into a gaping hole just before Darge’s try and two, admittedly tricky, conversions missed.
“I don’t think any fly-half really lit it up this weekend, but Russell has a lot in the bank and I think he will start at 10 in the summer,” said Warburton who, like Barclay, preferred an Irish option at fly-half on the basis of this weekend’s performances.
