FINN Russell believes Glasgow Warriors' chances of beating Montpellier this weekend have been boosted by having so many players called up by Scotland.

The stand-off was one of 17 players given the nod by national coach Vern Cotter this week ahead of the viagogo Autumn Tests.

Gregor Townsend's charges were on a huge high after opening their Champions Cup campaign with a 37-10 win over Bath on Saturday.

And the back reckons their self-belief has been lifted further ahead of their Pool 4 showdown in France tomorrow. He said: "Glasgow have been doing so well again this season. All the boys have been doing well.

"It is great for so many of us to be rewarded by getting called up to the Scotland squad.

"Getting 17 players into the national set-up is a real confidence-booster going into one of our biggest games of the season."

"We had a good start to our European campaign. But there are still areas we have to work on. No team is perfect. There are always areas you can make better.

"Playing a French team away from home will be a different challenge. We have studied them and have a good idea of what to expect. We are confident."

Russell was impressed at how well Glasgow defended against their AVIVA Premiership rivals in front of 6,746 of their supporters at Scotstoun Stadium last Saturday. And he believes they will have to repeat that heroic performance in that crucial department in France in order to record a vital away triumph.

He said: "Our defence was brilliant against Bath. They got their last points in the 11th minute. To shut them out for 70 minutes is impressive.

"Since I have been at Glasgow we have always had a terrific defence. We have always been in the top three teams in the league defensively.

"Doing well defensively will be key against a French club away from home. They have a lot of world-class attacking players.

"They have got Rene Ranger, who can play at centre and on the wing, who has played for the All Blacks. He is a standout for them. But they have quality right through the ranks."

Russell, 22, made his first appearance for Scotland against the United States on their tour this summer.

And he is hoping to do well enough to feature for Scotland in the games against Argentina, New Zealand and Tonga at Murrayfield and Rugby Park next month.

He said: "I have just come back from an injury this season. I injured my shoulder playing for Scotland against Canada in the summer.

"I got my first start of the new season against Ulster and unfortunately we lost that game. But I have got another couple of starts for Glasgow since then.

"Hopefully I can be involved with Scotland. But there are a lot of good players in the squad.

"I just have to concentrate on doing well for Glasgow when I am selected."