Six Nations boost as Hogg nears return
STUART HOGG is expected to hand Gregor Townsend a major Six Nations boost by making his comeback from injury for Glasgow Warriors.
Scotland’s world-class fullback, who has been sidelined with hip and foot injuries since pulling out of the Australia game in November, is set to prove his readiness for the tournament opener in Cardiff on February 3 by featuring against Exeter Chiefs in the final round of the Champions Cup at Scotstoun on Saturday.
Townsend has already claimed he would be relaxed about the prospect of his star man returning to the fray in Cardiff with no games under his belt, but it will do squad morale no harm if Hogg comes through this weekend’s European dead-rubber for Glasgow with no adverse effects.
Last week’s 55-19 defeat to Leinster in Dublin came too soon for him, but Warriors attack coach Jason O’Halloran says Hogg is among a number of players now hoping to prove their match fitness ahead of the Six Nations.
The 25-year-old took a full part in the squad’s midweek training session and ran freely but will have to come through another session with more emphasis on tackling before the club can finally confirm he is able to play.
‘Unless Hogg turns up really, really stiff or bangs his shoulder and gets a bit sore in contact sessions, I would imagine he will be fit for selection,’ said O’Halloran
‘He ran really well. We are really pleased with that.
‘He’s been a menace. He was narking at me three weeks ago, saying: “I’m good to go, I’m good to go”, and I’m going: “That’s not what the physios say”.
‘But I love that attitude. You want guys who are keen to get on the field as quickly as possible and, even watching training, he brings a bit of zest and zeal to others around him, which is crucial given the disappointing result last week.’
O’Halloran hopes winger Tommy Seymour will also be available for selection, while centre Alex Dunbar is nearing a return to action.
But No 8 Ryan Wilson is a couple of weeks away from making his comeback and is touch and go for the Six Nations opener.
On a more positive note for Glasgow, Scotland hooker George Turner has made his loan switch from Edinburgh a permanent move after agreeing a two-year deal with the Warriors.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh second row Ben Toolis insists Scotland ‘can’t afford to lose a game’ if they are serious about winning the Six Nations title for the first time.
‘We did well in the autumn Tests and in the summer to beat Australia in Sydney, so we know we can beat the big teams,’ said Toolis, one of four locks in contention for the clash in Cardiff alongside Edinburgh team-mate Grant Gilchrist and the Gray brothers, Richie and Jonny.
‘The Six Nations is like a knockout competition, though, and if you want to win the whole thing, you can’t afford to lose a game.
‘With the quality of the teams, that is extremely difficult but really we can’t have even just one off week.
‘With our recent performances I am confident that, as a squad, we’ll do well. We have the players, coaching staff and the fans to support us to make it happen.’