Hogg won't drop the ball over England mind games
Stuart Hogg refused to get embroiled in a war of words with England as the Scotland skipper insisted he is not interested in Eddie Jones’ mind games.
Red Rose boss Jones kicked off the verbal skirmishes ahead of Saturday’s Murrayfield showdown earlier this week when he claimed Gregor Townsend’s outfit were a “niggly” team who look to “goad” opponents.
Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam ramped up the rhetoric when he promised Scotland a “war” as the Auld Enemy end Scottish hopes of retaining the Calcutta Cup for the third year running.
But Dark Blues captain Hogg – who plays his club rugby south of the border with Exeter Chiefs – refused to take the bait.
The two-time British and Irish Lion said: “Look, my job is to make sure I’m concentrating on getting my performance spot on but also making sure the team is switched on.
“We’re here for the right reasons, not listening to what others have got to say.
“We’re concentrating on what happens within the four walls of our changing room and making sure we are focused and ready.
“I think I’ve made it pretty clear I’ve got a lot of respect for England.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play for a few of their boys on Lions tours and they’re world-class.
“But we want an opportunity to turn them over. I fully believe in our team, that we can do that and we’ll do everything in our power.”
Scotland have not held the Calcutta Cup for three years on the spin since 1972 but that is the aim this weekend as they look to build on their 2018 victory and last year’s 38-38 thriller at Twickenham.
Victory would only enhance what is set to be a special moment for Hogg as he prepares to lead out his nation for at home for the first time.
The new skipper said: “I have loads of different memories of Scotland-England games, of course the most obvious one being 2018.
“I’ve been involved in a few Calcutta Cup matches now and come out on the wrong end a few times. But 2018 was definitely a highlight. Here’s hoping tomorrow we can emulate that.
“It’s a huge honour to be given this opportunity to lead but for me now it’s all about doing my job on the field and making sure we do everything we can to get a result.
“If we nail our detail in attack and defence we can turn over England.
“On our day we can beat anyone. You saw that with England here a couple of years ago.”
It was not the Scots’ day last week in Dublin, however, as they missed a series of golden opportunities to put Ireland under pressure – none more glaring than Hogg’s own horror goal-line fumble.
It was the latest instalment in a long history of brave defeats for the Dark Blues and Hogg admits if he has one ambition while leading out his country, it is to rid them of their reputation for being plucky losers.
“Last week we were bitterly disappointed with the final outcome,” he said. “There were some good aspects to our game. We really took it to Ireland in attack and fronted up in defence. Something that has let us down the last couple of years.
“We’re gutted with the fact that we could have potentially won that game last week.
“The tag that we’ve been given really hurts the players but we need to be in a position to win Test matches before that goes. We get another opportunity tomorrow to make sure that’s gone. There’s a Calcutta Cup to play for and that’s all we’re concentrating on.
“We can’t stand back and admire England for too long. They’ve got some cracking individual players and are a quality side. They weren’t in a World Cup final for nothing. They are a world-class team and it’s going to take us to be at our best for the full 80 minutes to come away with the result we want.
“But we’re fully aware of that. That’s a huge exciting challenge for us – but we’re ready.”
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
I question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to comments