HOGG: WE’LL HUNT ENGLAND SCALPS
STUART HOGG last night claimed Scotland are ready to hunt down England and deliver a first Twickenham triumph for 34 years.
The Dark Blues’ talisman talked up his side’s Calcutta Cup chances by insisting they have the firepower to ensure they leave London without any regrets.
Vern Cotter’s side also have a Triple Crown and Six Nations title contention on the line this afternoon and Hogg (right) is sure they have targeted a clean sweep.
He said: “It wouldn’t be a shock if we were to win. We are more than capable of winning. We are going to do everything we possibly can to make that happen.
“We talked of our goals before the Six Nations and now it’s about making those goals a reality. We are very much in the position to come down here and win and nothing is going to come in our way.
“I’m sitting here shaking, I just want to get out there and play. For me it has been a long coupe of weeks since the Welsh game.
“The boys have rested up well, we are excited, Twickenham is a great place to play.”
The last visit to the home of rugby saw Scotland edged out 25-13 despite leading at the interval but Hogg is convinced the level of expectation for this latest visit is fully justified after impressive wins over Ireland and Wales.
He said: “Everybody is fairly chuffed at how Scotland are going as we are putting in good performances and putting wins on the board. It is nice to be talked up but it is now about me backing it up. It is now about me making it a reality.
“It is up to me to go out there and express myself and to get hands on ball in space.
“I love playing for Scotland and I will do everything in my power to get a win.
“It has taken a couple of years to get to this position and we are now in a position to get wins on the board. We like to have a little bit of pressure, I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have had a couple of good wins, let’s make it a third.
“The last time we played here we were leading at half-time but it’s going to take a complete 80-minute performance for us to get to win.”
“We truly believe we can come down here and win. We have had a good couple of weeks’ preparation and the boys are raring to go. We have analysed England a fair bit and opportunities will come. Here is hoping we can execute them.
“There’ll be momentum shifts in this game, we will be on the back foot, we will be under pressure but it is all about how we react to these situations. We have to take the initiative and keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“England are a world class side and we have to shut them down defensively.
“Their performances may not have been the best but they have still been getting results. Fair play to England but it is our turn to come down and win.”