To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played
Scotland destroy France Grand Slam dreams after stunning win
Chris Paterson, Ross Ford and Stuart Hogg, the other members of the 50 club, never had a shot at the title going into the final weekend. Since the Five Nations became Six in 2000, no Scottish player has.
Russell, 33, has had an extraordinary career. A Pro12 title win with Glasgow Warriors, a Prem title in the midst of a treble with Bath, a Champions Cup final appearance for Racing 92, 93 appearances and a showreel of breath-taking moments for Scotland, three British and Irish Lions tours and a series win as the undisputed first-choice 10 in Australia last year.
And yet, there is a feeling Russell's medal haul is not a fair reflection of what his talent and performances deserve.
The debate around Scotland's greatest ever player has reignited again recently, with Russell endorsements growing louder and louder. The main counter argument is that he has never won anything in a Scotland jersey, never even come close. Now he has a chance to put that right.
If Scotland can beat Ireland in Dublin - which would be a significant achievement in itself given they have lost the past 11 meetings - and France fail to take care of their business against England in Paris, Scotland will be champions. For Russell, that would eclipse everything.
"I've won a few titles, I've been in finals before and I think winning something for Scotland, especially the Six Nations, would be definitely the peak of my career," he said.
'Fantastic French made to look ordinary as Scotland come of age'
"Making sure that the occasion doesn't get to us when we actually play our game will be so important, but, yeah, it'll definitely be the top thing in my career if we can win it."
Putting seven tries and 50 points on a French team that rocked up to Murrayfield looking unbeatable in the Six Nations blew the tournament wide open and sent shockwaves through the rugby world.
Inevitably the hype and the hope around this Scotland team will skyrocket as they head for that date with destiny in Dublin, but blocking out the external noise has been critical in this team finally starting to fulfil the potential many have long suspected it has.
They had to do it when the flak was flying after the capitulation against Argentina in November and the opening defeat by Italy in Rome a few weeks back. The mindset remains the same even as the criticism is replaced by plaudits after three wins on the bounce.
"It's new territory for us going into the last game with a chance to win it," said Russell.
"There will be a lot more outside noise after putting 50 points on France, but I think for us making sure we keep it within the circle and we keep doing what we're doing, which is building a lot of it from the Argentina game in November with that tough loss, and then Italy at the start of the tournament.
"So, keep building up where we are. It's never the perfect performance. And I think as long as we can keep the outside noise outside of the circle and not let it get to us, then that's the main thing."
After the missed opportunity of a first ever win over New Zealand and the devastating collapse from 21-0 up against the Pumas in November, and again after the misery in the monsoon of Rome, Gregor Townsend stood firmly in front of his players, steadfast in his belief that it would all come good. The head coach is now getting his rewards.
"Definitely a lot of credit to Gregor in terms of the belief that he's had in us, especially after the November and Italy losses" Russell said.
"There was a lot of pressure on us throughout this tournament after November and then after Italy, but I think as a collective it's so important that we've all stuck together. We've had each other's back, especially after the Italy game.
"It just shows that we're not the finished product at all, but we're building in the right direction. That's three wins on the bounce now, which is brilliant for us.
"But it'll be a test next weekend and it'll show where we're actually at, going away to Ireland after three big wins, as to how we perform next weekend.
"We're ready. We know what's on the line now."
