Hogg sorry for ball drop
Stuart Hogg last night apologised for his horror handling blunder during Scotland’s 19-12 defeat to Ireland.
The Scots skipper (above) inexplicably dropped the ball over the try-line in a crucial second-half moment which would have
carried Gregor Townsend’s side to within two points of the Irish with a conversion to follow.
Johnny Sexton bagged all his side’s points with Adam Hastings firing four penalties and Hogg held up his hands for the calamity.
He said: “It was just a schoolboy error. I’m gutted with how that happened but I can’t change that now. I apologised to the boys. We got ourselves into a good position after some good work.
“I’m so disappointed I couldn’t finish it off.”
Scotland’s campaign was launched in familiar fashion as Townsend’s new-look side flirted with glory in a city where it’s been a decade since they’ve last won.
After dominating long spells, it was the failure to capitalise on point scoring positions which proved costly. But Hogg was full of praise for his team as the focus turns to next weekend’s Calcutta Cup clash with England.
He said: “I’m incredibly proud of the boys. We came across here with a huge task on our hands and fronted up. Our defence stood firm, something we’ve worked incredibly hard on in the last couple of weeks.
“I’m proud of their efforts. We’re bitterly disappointed not to have come away with a result.
“We feel we’re in a good place and it ’s now about kicking on and learning from todayay come next Saturday. The boysys played with a lot of confidencence and we should have won.
“But we’ve got to give ive credit to Ireland’s ’s defence. They made it a nightmare for us at t the breakdown and d stood firm.”