EXCLUSIVE: GAVIN HASTINGS IS TIPPING STUART HOGG TO BE THE BOSS AT MURRAYFIELD

There is no finer sight than Stuart in full flow at Murrayfield. I think he’ll shine against the French

So, WHAT is your favourite Stuart Hogg Murrayfield memory? The solo try against Italy in 2013 that he ran in from deep inside his own half after a brilliant interception?

The way he sold two outrageous dummies to get over the line in last year’s win over Ireland? The flick pass over his head that put Tim Visser in at the corner against France in 2016? The electrifying run that nearly helped Scotland to their first ever win over the All Blacks last autumn?

Playing at Scottish rugby’s spiritual home brings out the best in a full-back who needs to sprinkle some of his magic over the game against France tomorrow if he is to get Scotland’s Six Nations campaign back on track.

Hogg is the man who has been handed a free rein by Gregor Townsend to attack at will and to take the game to Jacques Brunel’s side from the first whistle.

Uncharacteristically, Hogg had to spend most of the 34-7 defeat to Wales doing the exact opposite and hardly got a chance to run from deep in Cardiff. His look of frustration at the final whistle as he traipsed off the pitch with his opposite number and former British and Irish Lions team-mate Leigh Halfpenny consoling him told its own story.

The anger was etched into his face. Tomorrow offers a chance of redemption and an opportunity to take out his frustration on a new set of challengers.

Where better for him to do that than at Murrayfield, where he invariably rises to the occasion. Hogg has scored 17 tries in 56 matches for Scotland. Eight of them at home, dating back to his first against France in the 2012 Six Nations as a fresh-faced 19-year-old.

on that occasion, he was put in at the corner from a pass from Greig Laidlaw. Scotland will be hoping the pair do similar damage at Murrayfield this time out.

The legendary Gavin Hastings, arguably the greatest full-back this country has ever produced, certainly believes Hogg will shine once again tomorrow.

‘Stuart had me out of my seat when he nearly scored against New Zealand in November and I am certain he will have me out of my seat again against France,’ Hastings told Sportsmail.

‘There is an expectation, especially at Murrayfield, that he is going to do something special. That is a great thing to have in a Scotland player. We should never take that for granted.

‘Hoggy is world-class and you expect world-class players to do world-class things. He can do that against the French.

‘He is a game-changer and he deserves all the backing and all the confidence building he can get from all of us after that Wales game. He is vital for Scotland.

‘If he was playing for New Zealand just now, people would be shouting from the rooftops that he is world-class. Well, he is playing for Scotland and he is a guy we should all be proud of.

‘He has pace, can defend well and is never scared to take a risk. He has improved hugely over the past couple of years and there is more consistency in his game.’

For the former Scotland and British and Irish Lions captain, the defeat against Wales will only strengthen Hogg’s desire to do well against the French.

‘He maybe didn’t have his best game against Wales, but, then again, neither did Scotland as a whole,’ said Hastings.

‘It was a frustrating time for him, but that was then and this is now. Hoggy is the type who can bounce back quickly. He can shine again and use the frustration he felt after that Wales game to his advantage.’

Hastings scored 667 points in 61 games for Scotland, with 17 tries. Coincidentally that is the same figure currently scribbled beside Hogg’s name. But the 56-year-old believes the current Scotland full-back has every chance of going on to beat Tony Stanger and Ian Smith’s international try-scoring record of 24.

‘I love watching him join the attack,’ admitted Hastings. ‘He is still only in his mid-twenties and he has plenty of time, injury permitting, to keep scoring tries for his country.

‘I said last year that he had the X-factor and, like Freddie Flintoff used to do in cricket, he is the sort of sportsman to bring something different to the occasion. I still feel the same and there is no finer sight than Hoggy in full flow, especially at Murrayfield.’

The scene is set for Hogg to shine against the French. Alongside him in an attacking back three are players who bring out the best in him — Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour.

‘That is a strong looking unit,’ added Hastings. ‘There is experience, try-scoring ability and huge talent among them. I really fancy Scotland to beat France and the three of them, with Hoggy making runs from deep, can do the damage.’