THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR SCOTS

Scotland should set no limits on what they can achieve, says captain

It falls to the captain to harness morale and motivate his team-mates to be more than just the sum of their parts. for stuart Hogg though, this scotland team will only really take flight when they realise just how good they are.

Seeking a fifth win in a row against Italy in their autumn Nations Cup opener in florence today, confidence should not be in short supply.

And Hogg, fresh from watching the scottish football team inspire the nation, has urged his teammates to set no limits to what they can achieve together in dark blue.

‘The big thing for me is that I don’t think the boys actually believe just how good they can be,’ said the scotland captain. ‘the wins are starting to come in now and we are beginning to believe in ourselves as individuals and as a team — and long may that continue.

‘We understand we will have to challenge ourselves on a daily basis. We need to have frank conversations and work extremely hard. We want to be a successful team and we believe we are on the right track. We are nowhere near being the finished article and we are never going to be.

‘What we are doing, though, is continuing to learn and improve. the boys want to get better and make a difference. Here’s hoping we can continue that, starting with the game against Italy.’

Hogg and the rest of the scotland squad watched in awe on thursday night as steve Clarke’s men secured Euro 2020 qualification in Belgrade and he is determined to build on the feelgood factor by leading his side to success over the Azzurri.

the proud scot said the whole squad was ‘ buzzing’ about the football result and revealed they had all gathered in the team room of their florence hotel to cheer them on. the scotland captain was so desperate not to miss a second of the action that when the players had to retire to their rooms, he ended up watching extra-time and penalties on his computer propped up on the end of his bath.

‘There were boys watching it in the room and we were absolutely buzzing for it,’ said Hogg. ‘I was watching the end of the game in the bath trying to get myself ready for friday and saturday.

‘When the boys came down in the morning, it was the talk of breakfast and put a smile on everyone’s faces. they inspired us and the nation, so here’s hoping we can do the same.

‘We were delighted for the football boys and what they achieved was massive. the big thing which hit home was that we are here to inspire the nation, too. Now it’s our turn to try to do that.

‘ It has been a tough year for everybody, so if we can play a small part by putting smiles on people’s faces by getting results, then that’s us doing our jobs.

‘How good would it be if we were to win in Italy? It would cap a great week for scottish sport and that’s our aim.’

scotland’s Group B schedule may be revised after france’s match against fiji in Vannes was cancelled following an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Pacific Islanders’ camp.

But Hogg is s ur e Gregor townsend’s men can challenge for the Nations Cup title if they play to their potential.

there is a familiar face back in townsend’s ranks this weekend as stand- off Duncan Weir makes his first start in four years in place of injured pivots finn Russell and adam Hastings.

But Hogg believes it is not only the former Glasgow Warrior’s hair which has sprouted since he moved to Worcester in 2018 as he hailed the new sense of assuredness the 29-year-old is displaying.

‘Duncy’s a lot more relaxed now than he was a few years ago,’ said Hogg. ‘He’s a breath of fresh air round the camp. He’s come in with great energy, wanting to learn and improve on a daily basis.

‘He’s old enough and ugly enough now to realise that. But he’s been brilliant since coming back in. He’s been given an opportunity now and, hopefully, he — and his wig — can direct us around the pitch.’

Stuart McInally starts as hooker as fraser Brown, who captained the side in the six Nations win over Wales, is ruled out after picking up a head knock in training.

Targeting a fifth win in a row in florence, Hogg added: ‘the boys would be well aware of that winning run but our message to them all this week is very much to concentrate on ourselves and do everything we can to make sure we get the win over Italy.’