Hogg on defensive before French Test

Backs against the wall, Scotland will look to come out fighting against France today – according to captain Stuart Hogg. And they don’t care what others say about them.

Hogg endured a significant degree of angst after the 20-17 defeat in Wales, but says the Scots plan to turn that frustration on the French at Murrayfield.

And he rejected the suggestion that the Scots have flattered themselves to deceive everyone else – or that the team, and particularly stand-off Finn Russell, don’t care enough.

“Cardiff was horrible,” he said. “I went back home and it was a dark couple of days trying to get over the result.

“I watched it back and my mood swings were unbelievable. I was up and down. I didn’t enjoy viewing it and that is something that has been very, very frustrating this last week.”

The idea that the Scots talk themselves up is nonsense, he said, and there is “a massive difference between confidence and arrogance”.

“Certainly, from a player’s points of view, I think we give out the impression that we are confident in our ability and confident in our structures, but we’re far from arrogant.

“We are as far away from that as you possibly can get. We have not been in a position to win trophies so we are never going to be arrogant.”

As for Russell, Hogg loves it when he sees his standoff smiling – even after an error – because he knows it means Russell is still calm.

“It is the complete opposite (of not caring),” he said. “I love that because I know that when he is like that he still remains calm. He is frustratingly good at times and he just seems to park mistakes.

“One of the best things about Finn is that he genuinely doesn’t care what people think, other than the people he cares about.

“Everybody reacts to mistakes in completely different ways and that’s what we want. We want people to be individuals.

“Everybody can say what they want about Finn and what they want about myself or anybody else. Mistakes happen. We genuinely care. It is a bit frustrating when people look in and think the opposite.

“It was only because the result didn’t go our way last time that we probably got more than normal.”

Russell’s input this week in particular has been crucial, added the skipper.

“Finn has been absolutely outstanding, as he is most weeks, but even more this week,” he said. “He has had a huge influence on the way we are trying to play and also the analysis he has brought from the Top 14 (in France) and the players he plays with or against.

“He is really excited about the opportunities that we’ve got in attack.

“He is going to be the driver of the way we want to play.

“His analysis has been second to none and I’ve been really impressed by what he has done this week.”

Scotland flanker Hamish Watson will miss today’s Six Nations match against France after returning a positive test for coronavirus.

Edinburgh back-row Nick Haining moves into the starting XV for the Murrayfield clash and will play on the blindside, with Rory Darge switching to openside flanker.

Saracens’ Andy Christie comes into the matchday 23 and could make his Scotland debut from the bench.

Two members of the Scotland backroom team have also tested positive for Covid-19, and will isolate as per Scottish Government guidelines.

ALIVE AND KICKING: Stuart Hogg aims to give France the runaround today.