Hogg to lead from the front for Scotland
By Mark Stevens
2/2/22
Stuart Hogg says he cannot wait to lead Scotland into battle ahead of this weekend's Guinness Six Nations Championship opener against England at BT Murrayfield.
The 29-year-old is one of potentially seven Exeter Chiefs players who could take to the field for this much-anticipated Calcutta Cup showdown.
It will mark Hogg's third Six Nations leading his country and he believes he has matured both as a player and a person since inheriting the captaincy from Greig Laidlaw after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Indeed, the full-back has now led the team in 16 Tests and now has the opportunity to move above Scotland greats such as Gavin Hastings (20), Ian McLauchlan and Jason White (both 19) on the list of most appearances as captain. Laidlaw is out in front on 40, followed by David Sole (25) and Bryan Redpath (21).
“I’m very fortunate to have been given this opportunity to lead this group and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of,” Hogg said at the Six Nations launch. “I’ve been around a fairly long time now and played under loads of different captains and learned little bits and pieces from everyone.
“Before I was given the captaincy I still loved being in and around the boys, keeping everyone on their toes. I’ve had to grow up a little bit over the last couple of years you could say. But it’s something I’ve really enjoyed.
“The big thing for me is learning about my teammates, any new boys who come in or players who I haven’t played with for a long time. I love learning about their families, what they do off the field and how you get the best out of them on the training field and in a game. What makes them tick.
“Every time we come into camp you seem to enjoy it more. It’s no coincidence that results are coming on the back of that.”
Hogg has been joined in the Scotland squad this week by club-mates Jonny Gray and Sam Skinner, while Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade have all been retained in Eddie Jones' 29-strong England squad.