Support of Hogg means a lot – Ritchie

NEW Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie admits it “means a lot” to have the backing of predecessor Stuart Hogg as he prepares to begin his captaincy against Australia this afternoon, writes Anthony Brown.

The 26-year-old Edinburgh flanker was appointed to the leadership role last week after head coach Gregor Townsend chose to relieve the “burden” from Hogg in an effort to help the Exeter full-back rediscover top form on the international stage.

After the change of captaincy was announced, Hogg – who is unavailable for the Australia game as it falls outside the international window – posted a congratulatory message to Ritchie on Instagram declaring that, despite his own “disappointment”, his successor would have his “full support”.

“It means a lot,” Ritchie said when asked about Hogg’s endorsement. “I have a huge amount of respect for Hoggy as a man and a rugby player and it’s been a privilege to support him over the last three years as part of his leadership group.

“He was one of the first guys to congratulate me. Gregor told him I was going to be captain before he told me. When Gregor told me, Hoggy sent me a nice message saying that he backed me and stuff like that. It meant a lot.”

Ritchie admits he will draw on aspects of Hogg’s captaincy.

“The things I’ll take from Hoggy are his passion – he’s a very passionate Scotsman – and the way he used the group around him,” he said. “There’d be days when you wouldn’t necessarily hear him speak a lot because he’d use the leaders around him, and that’s something I’ll look to take on as well.”

JB Bruzulier will lead Hartpury in their Championship clash at home to Jersey today (1.30pm).

He lines up at half-back with fly-half George Barton, while Jimmy Williams plays at 12 and Tommy Matthews at full-back.

In the pack, Jack Polledri keeps his comeback from injury going at flanker, while Mitch Eadie is at number eight.

Wasps have been suspended from the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup for the remainder of the season.

The Coventry-based club will play no more competitive games this term and will be relegated from the top flight.