ALL FIRED UP

Scotland ready for toe-to-toe battle with title-chasing French, says Hogg

STUART HOGG has vowed that Scotland will ‘meet fire with fire’ and go on the attack straight from the start against France at BT Murrayfield this afternoon.

Up against a French team who have swept all before them so far in this year’s Six Nations, the Scots have been made 2-1 outsiders on their own turf with some bookmakers.

France go into the clash knowing that victory would tee up the chance to clinch the Grand Slam against Ireland in Paris next weekend.

The opportunity to do so, however, will ultimately depend on the coronavirus causing no further disruption to the schedule.

The match between Scotland’s women and their French counterparts, which had been set to take place at Scotstoun last night, was called off after one of the

Scottish players tested positive for the virus.

Seven members of the women’s playing and management staff are now self-isolating, but SRU sources are confident that they have not come into contact with anyone in the men’s camp.

With the show set to go on, Scotland skipper Hogg has promised to play on the front foot and go toe-to-toe with a young and vibrant French side.

Despite their underdogs’ status, Hogg is adamant that he and his team-mates won’t sit back and allow Les Bleus to dictate the game on their terms.

Targeting a flying start, he said: ‘We might get four or five opportunities in attack and we’ve got to exploit that and make the most of every one of them.

‘The first 20 minutes will be key for us. We need to meet fire with fire and go after the French.

‘We must front up physically and knock them back in defence, as well as playing in the right areas in attack.

‘We have to make sure we are clinical. It’s an exciting challenge for us and a win would mean everything.

‘The big thing for us is that we want to inspire our country and the next generation.

‘The big message I’ve said for the last month or so is to let everything go — don’t hold back.

‘You could potentially play 60, 70 or 80 minutes in this game. You need to do all you can to put that jersey in a better place than when you picked it up. That’s the freedom you have playing for Scotland — you’re there because you’re good enough to do a job.

‘I’ve told the boys that we hold nothing back, let everything go, express ourselves and have fun.

‘When we do that, we’re scoring tries and defending well, showing what it means to play for Scotland.

‘We’re not striving for perfection because that doesn’t exist. We’ll bounce through our mistakes and make sure we’re in a better place.’

With such a young France side closing in on a Grand Slam, Hogg is keen to test their nerve and rattle them if possible.

He spoke in glowing terms about French scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who has been the player of the Championship so far.

‘It’s a huge game for us and one that we’re very much looking forward to,’ added Hogg.

‘We’ve analysed France and watched them over the last month or so. They’ve been terrific.

‘It’s a chance to challenge ourselves against one of the best teams in world rugby right now.

‘Whether we’re underdogs or not, that kind of tag doesn’t bother me or the team. We’ll concentrate on making sure we’re ready to win the battle on the day.’

On the women’s player who has tested positive for coronavirus, Hogg added: ‘I think I speak for everyone involved in our squad when I say we are sending our best wishes to said player.

‘We’re in the best possible hands with Doctor James Robson to ensure we’re doing the appropriate things to stay safe and healthy.’