The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
No 10 role was just a ‘one-off ’ for Scotland captain Stuart Hogg
Stuart Hogg doesn’t expect to find himself at 10 again anytime soon, even after piloting Scotland to a historic record win over Italy at Murrayfield.
Scotland’s 52-10 romp is their record total and margin of victory in the championship – Five or Six nations.
The Scots scored eight tries with the captain moved forward to start in the key playmaking role for the first time.
Hogg normally plays full back but was given the stand-off role by coach Gregor Townsend after Finn Russell had to sit this one out due to sustaining a concussion in the defeat by Ireland.
But it was a one-off, he clearly indicated.
“I’d like to think I’ve made a good enough job at playing full-back throughout my time,” he said. “I think there’s a lot better players that can play 10 than me.
“I just want what’s best for the team. If that means I’m playing 10 or 15, as long as we’re winning games of rugby I don’t care where I’m playing.”
Despite the ease as Scotland rolled to victory, Hogg didn’t feel it was a vintage display.
“At times I felt we were very much in control of it. At other times I was uncomfortable because the pace was quick. We lost our structure a fair amount in the first half especially,” he said.
“If we’re brutally honest we could have had maybe another couple of tries in the first half and in the second half.
“Nobody thought it was going to be plain sailing, and I found it really quite challenging at times. I really enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun out there today alongside the rest of the boys and that showed in our performance.
“But Finn Russell is a world-class talent. I have no doubt he’ll be back in the 10 shirt against France in Paris.”
Certainly Scotland will have a far stiffer task in Paris on Friday. France’s last-gasp victory over Wales gives them the chance to pinch the title from under the noses of the Welsh.
There’s relief for Scotland that their English-based players will be available as a deal between the Six Nations and the clubs was confirmed at the end of the game.
But France will be highly motivated to take the title by extending a winning home record over the Scots dating back to 1999.
Hogg said: “I think we can take a huge amount of confidence in the fact that the way we wanted to play has worked for us throughout large periods of this Six Nations.
“Our defence has been spot-on, our attack has been very, very clinical. It’s just the little bits in between that have let us down.
“We can take a huge amount of confidence on both sides of the ball from today. It will be one hell of a battle for us in Paris, but we’re very much looking forward to another opportunity. We’re more than capable of going across to France and winning. And that’s what we’ll start gearing up for now.”
Townsend expressed relief that he’d have a full hand to choose from for Paris. The team will stay at Oriam for one full contact session before they travel on Wednesday.
Townsend said: “One positive around our preparation is that we don’t have to do too many meetings to preview France because we did that three weeks ago.
“The players should know who our opposition are and what they will bring.
“We watched the game against Wales in the team room together and we were able to share anything different.”
After making seven changes for the Italy game, there’s every likelihood Townsend will change back for France – despite strong showings from players brought in like Dave Cherry and Huw Jones.
“We’ll wait and see,” said Townsend. “Obviously Finn should be available and we’ll monitor Jonny Gray’s progress. They’re key players for us.
“And we’ll have a good review to see whether players are right for our gameplan.
“We’re now going to have a situation where we’ve got more players with game experience from whom to select.
“They’ll put pressure on those who started those first three games.”