Hogg ‘will cope’ with role
GREGOR Townsend has backed Stuart Hogg to shoulder the responsibility of captaining Scotland after admitting the honour was too much for Stuart McInally.
The Edinburgh hooker led the team out at the World Cup in Japan after being picked ahead of former skippers Greig Laidlaw and John Barclay but struggled under the weight of the role.
So much so, he was even dropped for the final pool match against the hosts as the Scots went on to suffer a humiliating early exit. Townsend admits the extra duties involved in skippering the Dark Blues took their toll on McInally.
However, the head coach has been encouraged by the enthusiasm Exeter star Hogg has shown since first being offered the top job. With Barclay and Laidlaw now retired form international action, the 71-cap fullback with two British and Irish Lions tours under his belt is the most experienced member of the 38-man squad Townsend has named for this year’s championship, which the Scots start in Ireland on February 1. Townsend said: “Stuart was obviously a very strong candidate given his experience, his leadership ability and his desire to do the role, which was a big positive because it can be challenging.
“To me he’s going to do a good job. He’s going to be supported with some experienced players around him. “He’s going to work to bring the best out of them.”
l FORD: ENGLAND WON’T SUFFER WORLD CUP HANGOVER:
GEORGE Ford insists England will not suffer from a World Cup hangover when the Six Nations kicks off next month.
England open against France in Paris on February 2 as they bid to reclaim the title they last won in 2017.
The tournament will mark the first for Eddie Jones’ side since their impressive World Cup campaign ended with a limp defeat to South Africa in the final.
But fly-half Ford, who has won 65 Test caps, has demanded the disappointment of Japan must act as a springboard to future success.
“It is not a hangover, let’s instead be excited about getting better,” said the 26-year-old. “I can see that is what people will say, but it is our responsibility to make sure that is not the case. I am sure Eddie will make sure that is not the case, too.
“Let’s use the experiences we have gained from Japan, and use the things we did well, and use the things we could have done better.
“Of course, there are times when you sit back and reflect, but instead of thinking it is a clean slate, and let’s start again, we are going to build on what happened at the World Cup, and we are actually going to get better. That has to be the mindset.”
Jones names his squad for the tournament on Monday.