Scotland legend Colin insists Hogg must be made captain for tour of South Africa

also puts pressure on you and makes you realise you have to perform to a high level in every game. Stuart is the kind of guy who thrives on that.

“Being at a new club in Exeter and being given the chance to captain Scotland has reignited him and made him a better player.” Deans played in many highpressure games, the 1987 World Cup included. And he sees a matur ity in Hog g that means he can kick on. He said: “Losing F inn Russel l right at the start of the Six Nat ions campaign was a difficult time for the whole squad and Stuar t had just become captain. “But he must have been influential in sorting the boys out. They ended up pl ay ing some superb rugby. They should have beaten Ireland and did beat Italy and France, playing some great stuff in that last game when they turned up firing.

“Scotland don’t have big guys so have to rely on being a bit quicker. That is the wayw Gre g o r TownsendT likes tot play and it is a l so the way StuartS likes to playp – they have a good coach/ playerp relationship.s If you want somethings bad enoughe you can getg it – you have tot push yourself tot the limit. Nowadaysa for these prop players it is a seven-s days- aweekw job. They’re toldt how to get fit,fiwhattoeatand when. Stuart still has plenty more to give in his career.”

With much of the expected £ 30million earned from a Lions tour gobbled up by the hosts, even after the sponsorship cash has been added up, individual countries end up with only around £2m each.

Former Lions captain Phil Bennett said: “It would be a huge shame for the Lions to be shelved next year.

“But we are talking about survival of the game itself.”