Centurion Hogg eyeing Ireland upset

STUART HOGG believes it will take a career-best performance if Scotland are to mark his 100th cap with victory over Ireland at Murrayfield.

Scotland will lock horns with an Ireland side chasing a Grand Slam but Gregor Townsend’s team retain title ambitions of their own and are also looking to win the Triple Crown for the first time since 1990. Scotland have never beaten any team ranked No 1 in the world, with full-back Hogg braced for what he one of the greatest challenges of his career.

He said: ‘We’ve got a Triple Crown to play for this weekend and I’m absolutely buzzing for it. To hit 100 caps is pretty special. ‘The best thing we’ve done over the last year or so is concentrating on ourselves. For years on end, we’d sit and we’d watch X, Y and Z about what the opposition were going to bring us. But now there’s a real confidence, belief and trust within this squad that we can go out there and do a job.’ Ireland will arrive at Murrayfield having won nine games on the bounce. Asked if Scotland will have to perform better than ever before to beat the Irish Hogg said: ‘One hundred per cent. We’ve got an opportunity and a chance to do it. (But) it’s going to be bloody tough.’ Kick-off: Tomorrow 3pm, Murrayfield. TV: LIVE on BBC One from 2.15pm.