Hogg has to hit the ground running in Paris

GREGOR TOWNSEND will be hoping his game-changing full-back Stuart Hogg returns to top form sooner rather than later.

On his day, Hogg (below) is the most exciting, attack-minded player in Scottish rugby. Unfortunately for Glasgow Warriors, those days have been few and far between since he returned from the World Cup.

Provided he keeps his place against Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup this weekend, Hogg owes Townsend a big game.

In his six matches for Glasgow this season — four in the Pro12 and two in the Champions Cup — he has yet to score a try and has looked out of sorts.

Finding his way to the try-line has proved equally elusive at international level of late, with his score against Wales in the Six Nations his only touchdown for Scotland in 11 games in 2015.

Hogg hasn’t become a bad player overnight but the physical and emotional demands of being one of Scotland’s most important players during the World Cup have clearly taken their toll.

The 23-year-old, who became a father for the first time last month, was the only Scotland player to start all five matches. Although he was then given a few weeks off, he hasn’t hit top form since.

He remains first-choice Scotland full-back for the Six Nations but Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour have both shown they can play there, too.

The best way for him to prove he’s just having a blip in form is to produce a man-of-the-match performance in Paris.

Glasgow need Hogg at his best if they are to stand any chance of beating the team currently sitting at the summit of the Top14.

Winning in Paris would go down as one of their finest wins and kick-start their faltering season.

After showing virtually nothing in attack in the two matches against Edinburgh, it’s vital they take the game to Racing 92. As the two inter-city losses showed, they don’t have the strength in the pack for their forwards to lay the foundations for a victory. What they do have — provided they get enough ball — is a back division that’s up there with the best in the European Champions Cup. Mark Bennett, Sean Lamont, Taqele Naiyaravaro and Hogg all have the potential to score tries. Let’s hope the latter finds his way to the try-line for the first time this season and finally sparks into life.