The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hogg ruled out of key clash for Glasgow
Rugby: Star player will not be fit for crucial European Rugby Champions Cup clash against Montpellier
Stuart Hogg is out of Glasgow’s crucial European Rugby Champions Cup clash with Montpellier on Friday still suffering from the injury that knocked him out of the Australia Autumn Test.
The Scotland and Lions full-back suffered the hip flexor injury when tackled in the air by Waisale Naholo during the epic game against New Zealand.
He aggravated the problem in the warm-up ahead of the Australia game a week later, withdrawing from the Scotland team minutes before kick-off.
Hogg wasn’t considered for Glasgow’s Guinness Pro14 game against Cardiff Blues on Friday night – won 40-16 for their 10th successive victory in the competition since the start of the season – but it had been hoped he’d be back to help restart the Warriors’ failing European campaign.
However, Warriors assistant coach Kenny Murray said yesterday both Hogg and hooker Fraser Brown wouldn’t be considered for the visit of the club now coached by former Scotland coach Vern Cotter.
The Warriors hope that hookers Pat MacArthur and George Turner will be available for Montpellier.
Like Glasgow, Montpellier have lost their opening two games in European competition.
“The medics are monitoring Stuart’s recovery, so they’ll see how he goes over the next week, then they can tell how long it will be until he returns,” said Murray.
“The job is to get him on the park as quick as we can, but at the same time make sure we’re managing it properly.”
Brown needed another week through the return-to-play protocols after suffered a head injury as a replacement against Australia, just the latest of a series of injuries this year for the hooker.
“Fraser has had a few injuries over a period of time, so we’re cautious. We don’t bring guys back too quickly,” continued Murray.
“We’re looking for Fraser to get back through his return-to-play protocols within the week, so he should be back playing very quickly.”
In contrast to their unbeaten form in the Pro14, defeats to Exeter and Leinster – the second at Scotstoun – have left Glasgow with no wiggle room if they want to reach the last eight in Europe for the second successive year.
Even four wins from their remaining four games may not be enough to qualify, and head coach Dave Rennie has hinted that the Warriors will focus their resources elsewhere if they lose a third game in the competition.