We won’t fall for Eddie’s mind games, insists skipper
STUART Hogg refused to get embroiled in a war of words with England as the Scotland skipper insisted he is not interested in Eddie Jones’ mind games.
Red Rose boss Jones kicked off today’s Murrayfield showdown earlier this week when he claimed Gregor Townsend’s outfit were a “niggly” team who look to “goad” opponents.
Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam ramped up the rhetoric when he promised Scotland a “war” as the Auld Enemy end Scottish hopes of retaining the Calcutta Cup for the third year running.
But Dark Blues captain Hogg, who plays his club rugby south of the border with Exeter Chiefs, refused to take the bait.
The two-time British and Irish Lion said: “Look, my job is to make sure I’m concentrating on getting my performance spot on but also making sure the team is switched on.
“We’re here for the right reasons, not listening to what others have got to say. “We’re concentrating on what happens within the four walls of our changing room and making sure we are focused and ready. “I think I’ve made it pretty clear I’ve got a lot of respect for England. “I’ve been fortunate enough to play for a few of their boys on Lions tours and they’re world-class.
“But we want an opportunity to turn them over. I fully believe in our team, that we can do that and we’ll do everything in our power.”
Scotland have not held the Calcutta Cup for three years on the spin since 1972 but that is the aim this weekend as they look to build on their 2018 victory and last year’s 38-38 thriller at Twickenham.
No. 8 Magnus Bradbury is the only change in Gregor Townsend’s starting line-up after last weekend’s opening-round defeat to Ireland, with Nick Haining dropping to the bench.