WORCESTER Warriors’ top marksman Duncan Weir is a “better game manager” than Scotland fly-halves Finn Russell and Adam Hastings.

That is the view of Warriors coach and former Scotland stand-off Gordon Ross who believes Weir can add to his country’s Rugby World Cup quest.

Weir played an influential role in guiding Worcester clear of relegation trouble as he landed 261 points in 27 appearances in all competitions.

But his impressive season was not enough to get into Scotland’s 42-man training squad ahead of the World Cup this autumn.

National boss Gregor Townsend selected Racing 92’s Russell and Edinburgh’s Hastings as his preferred options at number 10 with Weir narrowly missing out.

But Ross, who played in the 2003 World Cup, reckoned Weir’s ability to make “good decisions” in the heat of the battle would benefit Scotland.

“They are all different players,” Ross said.

“Finn had a great run down (against England) at Twickenham and young Adam has come on as well. They are both lively players.

“From my point of view I think Duncan is maybe a better game manager with his mixture of things but it is what Gregor and the Scotland group want.

“They did some really good things in the Six Nations and hopefully they will continue to get better and better.

“If they can get somewhere near a fully-fit first-team group out on a regular basis in that World Cup I think we will be a handful.”

Weir has won 27 caps for Scotland and featured in the 2015 World Cup but his last outing on the international stage came in March 2017.

An abdominal injury forced Weir to miss most of the 2017-18 campaign with Edinburgh.

But since moving to Worcester last summer the Scot has featured regularly and become a key man in Alan Solomons’ side.

Weir finished second in the Gallagher Premiership’s kicking charts with 204 points — 17 behind Golden Boot winner George Ford.

“Duncan has done outstandingly since he has come in,” Ross said.

“The best thing for him is he has had a good run of games because for the past year or two he has not had much chance to get any consistency (due to injury).

“He is really chirpy and loud off the pitch as well which helps his performances. His leadership is great too.

“Jono Lance is back fit now and putting a bit of pressure on him so there is good, healthy competition but Duncan is a really good footballer.

“He makes good decisions and if he continues to do that then hopefully he can work his way back into the Scotland set-up.”

Ross is one of Warriors’ academy coaches but also work closely with Weir having been given the responsibility of working with the club’s kickers.

“It is great,” added the 41-year-old on his role as kicking coach.

“It is just about getting the guys into the rhythm and making sure that they enjoy kicking.

“They usually come in on their day off when they are fresh and do a few hours in the morning.

“You have got an outstanding surface out there so you have got to make the most of it.

“It is a bit more extra work for me but I find it really enjoyable.”