Russell and Tuipulotu have become Scotland's, and possibly the Lions', first-choice 10-12 partnership
The British and Irish Lions players have rallied around their foreign-born team-mates, after Australia coach Joe Schmidt highlighted the ancestry of some of the tourists' squad.
Schmidt referred to New-Zealand-born Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu as a "southern hemisphere centre pairing" as the Ireland and Scotland stars teamed up against Argentina in Dublin.
"For me, as a Scot, I have no issues with them being born in New Zealand or Australia," fly-half Finn Russell told BBC Sport.
"Everyone has their different background and different path into rugby and where we are now. These boys definitely deserve their spot in the team."
