Scotland captain eager to make up for last year’s error in Dublin
SCOTLAND and Ireland have become such familiar and feisty foes in recent times – today is their fifth meeting in a little over two years – that the fixture is rarely lacking spice.
This Murrayfield contest may provide the tastiest of all given what is at stake for both sides, in the short and medium term.
Scotland know victory will keep them in contention for a first-ever top-two Six Nations finish, and an outside title shot, while the fear of a third defeat should light fires in Irish bellies.
Moreover, the contest could have a significant bearing on the make-up of this summer’s Lions squad.
Ireland still have England to come in their final game. But for Scotland, having won at Twickenham and lost narrowly to Wales, this is a last chance to influence selection decisions against direct rivals.
There are intriguing battles wherever you look. Finn Russell v Johnny Sexton at fly-half; Jamie Ritchie v Tadhg Beirne at blindside; Jonny Gray v James Ryan at lock; Rory Sutherland v Cian Healy at loosehead; and Duhan van der Merwe v James Lowe for a wing berth?
Scotland captain Stuart Hogg, outstanding in their opening two matches, played down the Lions context: “It is just about doing our individual jobs to the best of our ability and making sure Scotland have the win at the end.”
But another display of attacking verve, defensive solidity and proactive leadership from the full-back would send a strong message to the watching Warren Gatland.
Gatland picked Hogg for his first two tours as Lions head coach. In 2013, the Exeter Chief was the baby of the party, only turning 20 on arrival in Australia. Hogg started two of the first three games at fullback but never threatened Leigh Halfpenny for the Test berth.
Four years later in New Zealand, having been voted Player of the Six Nations for two years running, Hogg appeared set for a major role. He started alongside what would prove to be 12 of the first Test team in the third match against the Crusaders, but a fractured cheekbone – after a collision with Conor Murray – saw a devastated Hogg return home early.
While it would be a surprise if Gatland’s captain this time did not come from one of Alun Wyn Jones, Owen Farrell or Maro Itoje, Hogg could yet force himself into the discussion, at least as part of the leadership group.
Hogg will have formidable competition for a Test jersey, with Wales’ Liam Williams a leading contender again, and Ireland’s young thruster Hugo Keenan a possible bolter. But with Gregor Townsend, below, likely to be among Gatland’s coaching staff, Hogg will have someone in his corner who has witnessed his growing maturity first-hand.
Today he will play his 83rd Test, moving him clear of Townsend into sixth place on Scotland’s all-time list. Given a fair wind with injuries, Hogg should finish his career at the top of the tree, and his country’s leading tryscorer to
boot.
With 22, he is only two shy of Ian Smith and Tony Stanger, who share that distinction. His two tries against Wales last month propelled Hogg into the top five try-scorers in the Championship during the Six Nations era. Only Brian O’Driscoll (26), Shane Williams (22), George North (22) and Ben Cohen (16) have scored more than his 15 to date.
Hogg has dazzled against Ireland before – scoring a memorable solo try in 2016, and two tries in 2017, Scotland’s last win over their Celtic cousins. But his faux-pas in failing to touch the ball down in Dublin last year was a pivotal error in a narrow defeat, one of five in a row against the Irish.
If today is the day that trend is to be reversed, Hogg knows Scotland must not swich off for a second.
“I truly believe we can win this Test match,” he added. “The main thing is staying in every single moment. Like Ireland, we’ve a huge amount of experience and quality. We know how to play rugby.
“The biggest challenge is trying to rein boys back in. We’re absolutely chomping at the bit to get going.”