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'I saw a huge change in him between Lions tours. He was like a different person'
Ireland have identified new Scotland captain Stuart Hogg as a prime danger capable of ruining Andy Farrell’s first match in charge.
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It was just 17-and-a-half weeks ago under Farrell’s predecessor Joe Schmidt that the Irish blew a gaping hole in the Scots’ World Cup campaign, comprehensively beating them 27-3 in the rain in Yokohama at the start of the Japanese finals.
Now they are all set to meet again in Dublin on February 1 and while the expectation is for Ireland to hit the ground running again under their new regime, there was warm praise to be heard at Wednesday’s Six Nations launch in London about the threat posed by the opposition player expected to be wearing the No15 shirt.
“Stuart is a big cog in the wheel for Scotland and how they play, he has a big influence on the game,” said Farrell, who is making the step-up as Ireland boss having been an assistant to Schmidt since the June 2016 tour to South Africa.
“I suppose behind the scenes he will have a bit influence as well because he is a big character. He tends to leads with his actions on the field and I suppose over a period of time he has matured quite a bit because he has been a cheeky chap along the way when we coached him in 2013 (on the Lions), he was very young back then.
(Continue reading below…)
Andy Farrell talks Ireland selection and captaincy
“It is very obvious to everyone watching the game how he has developed as far as his maturity is concerned. Gregor (Townsend) has said now is his time and he knows him more than most.”
Johnny Sexton, whom Farrell has appointed as new Ireland captain for the 2020 Six Nations, also pinpointed the role Hogg could play in causing an upset in Dublin.
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“I saw a huge change in him between (Lions) tours from 2013 in Australia. He was the youngest on the tour. He was only 20 at the time, if not younger. A massive change four years later (in New Zealand). He was like a different person and he has advanced further again and is the captain of Scotland.
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“He has been up there as their best player over the last… since he has come on the scene really. Himself and Gregor know each other well, so I’m sure they will make a good team.”
Positionally, though, Sexton will have his own hands full in the opening weeks of the championship with Scotland’s Finn Russell expected to be his opposite number the first Saturday before Dan Biggar will arrive at the Aviva on February 8 likely wearing the Wales No10 shirt.
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“Huge threat,” said Sexton about Russell. “We did a lot of homework on him before the World Cup game. He is obviously playing a lot better over the last couple of months.
'His unchallenged message is that his squad is dynamic, powerful and aggressive with a lot of skill and speed, a nice soundbite if rah-rah soundbites are your thing twelve-and-a-half weeks on from World Cup crucifixion by the All Blacks,' writes @heagneyl
https://t.co/Uay1ksl7gW— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 16, 2020
“He has been playing really, really well for Racing and showing all the touches and the sort of moments of brilliance that he has, so we are going to have to be ready for all those tricks and they have got some other quality players in and around him as well that we have to be ready for.”
Switching to Biggar, Sexton added: “Good friend from the Lions tour and I still stay in touch with him. He is going from street to strength really. He is really going well under the new coaches in Northampton and they have qualified for the quarters in Europe now and he has played a big part in that.
“Looking forward to locking horns with him again against Wales in a few weeks, but we have got a big one first out before we start thinking about Wales.”
WATCH: Andy Goode and Brendan Venter didn’t hold back on this week’s The Rugby Pod as they discussed Saracens and the salary cap scandal
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
9 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments