Glasgow Warriors taking no risks with Hogg’s return from injury lay-off

Stuart Hogg may have to wait to make his return from injury after Glasgow assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys insisted the Warriors will take no risks with the Scotland star.

The full-back has not featured since he was forced to pull out of his country’s triumph over Australia in the Autumn Tests at the last minute with a hip injury.

Ruaridh Jackson has deputised at 15 for both club and country since then but Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie was hoping to welcome Hogg back when his side travel to Dublin for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Leinster.

However, Humphreys now says the Guinness Pro14 high-flyers have yet to decide whether to pitch him into action at the RDS Arena.

That will concern Scotland boss Gregor Townsend, who will be desperate to see his main man back in regular action before the Scots kick-off their NatWest 6 Nations campaign against Wales in Cardiff on February 3.

“He is touch and go,” admitted forwards coach Humphreys. “We will probably leave that decision until the end of the week.

“We certainly won’t be risking him if there is any doubt. If it’s not this week, though, then hopefully next.

“We’re desperately keen to have him back and so are Scotland but every caution will be taken with him.

“Renns and Gregor talk a lot. They have a good relationship but we will do what is best for Hoggy.

“Hopefully he’ll be back for the Six Nations. He’s close to being back and it would be nice for him to have a game under his belt before he goes away with the national squad. Hopefully that will be the case.”

Glasgow’s hopes of making the quarter-finals are already over but Humphreys insists this weekend’s showdown is no dead rubber.

He said: “We still have aspirations to win these last two games with Leinster and Exeter.

“We’re not going to hide from that and no matter what, we’re still going to have a very competitive team on Sunday.”

Stuart Hogg: sidelined since November by injury.