Superb Hogg sends Six Nations warning
RETURNING Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg declared himself itching for Six Nations duty after delivering a superb display as Glasgow ended their European campaign in style, burying Exeter’s quarter-final hopes in the process.
Hogg’s constant probing from deep proved way too much for Chiefs, who butchered copious possession and were undone by a controversial 53rd minute penalty try, after which the floodgates opened as Glasgow took full advantage.
After his first appearance since November following a hip injury, Hogg said: “We chucked the ball about a bit from our own line and thankfully a lot of what we did came off.
“To get back out there was brilliant and hopefully I can now really kick on with Glasgow and Scotland.”
Hogg announced his return with a sensational second minute try, sailing under the sticks from George Horne’s pass.
Exeter recovered to mount three periods of heavy pressure, Ian Whitten, Lachie Turner and Luke Cowan-Dickie almost breaking clear. But each time Glasgow stole the ball, with Matt Fagerson and Alex Dunbar in the fore.
Glasgow’s defensive resilience came at a cost, with hooker George Turner and centre Dunbar forced off inside the first 15 minutes. Exeter piled forward again, but brilliant defending from Huw Jones in holding up Whitten heightened their frustration.
Dropped passes continually thwarted Chiefs, who were otherwise dominating affairs, and they almost paid the price when Gareth Steenson was forced to scramble back under his own posts to deal with Hogg’s chip and chase.
Exeter responded and, after an overthrown Glasgow lineout had been athletically gathered by Cowan-Dickie, their persistence paid off as they levelled on the stroke of half-time, Sam Simmonds burrowing over with Steenson adding the extras.
Powerful runs from Phil Dollman, Henry Slade and Olly Woodburn put Chiefs on the front foot from the restart, but again their pres- sure came to nothing and Glasgow, with Hogg and Russell finding space behind, struck next in bizarre fashion.
Nic White’s charge into the line as Glasgow attacked down the short side looked fair, but the scrum-half was harshly adjudged to have deliberately knocked down Russell’s hurried offload and the penalty try and yellow card were awarded.
Whatever the dubiousness of that score, there was no disputing the quality of what followed as Glasgow conjured two superlative tries.
Tommy Seymour bagged the first, capitalising on length-of-the-field build-up play initiated by Hogg and Russell and continued by George Horne, who delivered the scoring pass; and Hogg was the architect again two minutes later, his arching run creating space for Seymour, Peter Horne and George Horne to send in Fagerson.
Chiefs hit back through Don Armand and soon grabbed a third try through Whitten, who was cleverly released by Simmonds. A furious finish ensued as Exeter went for broke, but dropped passes returned to haunt them.