Laidlaw ‘on target’ to line up in opener

GREIG Laidlaw is nearing a return to fitness in time for Scotland’s Six Nations campaign, the scrum-half’s French club says.

Laidlaw, 32, suffered a broken fibula on European Champions Cup duty for Clermont in October.

The Top 14 outfit say Laidlaw should be ready for selection in “10-15 days”, with Scotland opening their championship in Wales on February 3.

Laidlaw, capped 58 times, has not played a Test since last February.

He tore ankle ligaments in the Six Nations defeat by France and, in his absence, Scarlets’ backrower John Barclay has captained the national team.

The former Warriors head coach will name his squad for the Six Nations next Tuesday.

Laidlaw made six appearances on last year’s British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand after being called up in place of England’s Ben Youngs, but did not feature in the Test series.

Laidlaw, third on Scotland’s alltime points-scoring list with a haul of 582, has captained the national side on more occasions (31) than any other player.

Meanwhile, Stuart Hogg may have to wait to make his return from injury after Glasgow assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys insisted the Warriors will take no risks with the Scotland star.

The full-back has not featured since he was forced to pull out of his country’s triumph over Australia in the autumn Tests at the last minute with a hip injury.

Ruaridh Jackson has deputised at 15 for both club and country since then but Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie was hoping to welcome Hogg back when his side travel to Dublin for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Leinster.

However, Humphreys now says the Guinness Pro14 high-flyers have yet to decide whether to pitch him into action at the RDS Arena.

That will concern Scotland boss Townsend, who will be desperate to see his main man back in regular action before the Scots kick off their NatWest 6 Nations campaign against Wales.

“He is touch and go,” admitted forwards coach Humphreys, the former Wales and Cardiff hooker. “We will probably leave that decision until the end of the week.

“We certainly won’t be risking him if there is any doubt. If it’s not this week, though, then hopefully next.”