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'Well it's news to me that he's out for the Six Nations' - Townsend reacts to Hogg reports

Stuart Hogg (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is keeping his fingers crossed for good news as Stuart Hogg prepares to see a specialist about his injured shoulder.

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The Scottish star full-back was forced off just 17 minutes into Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland following a collision with Peter O’Mahoney.

His absence for the rest of the Murrayfield clash proved a major blow for Townsend’s team as they struggled for firepower after the break, eventually slumping 22-13.

There were further worries for the Scotland faithful on Tuesday morning with reports claiming Hogg’s injury might now force him out of the final three fixtures with France, Wales and England and potentially his final six months with Glasgow before making a switch to Exeter this summer.

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But Townsend says he will wait to hear from a medical expert set to examine Hogg on Wednesday afternoon before making a final call on his participation in the rest of competition.

Hogg kicks ahead just before being injured by a late challenge from Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony
Hogg kicks ahead just before being injured by a late challenge from Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony (Ian Rutherford/PA)

“Well it’s news to me that he’s out for the Six Nations as we’re still waiting to see how he recovers,” said Townsend. “He’s about to see a specialist later today (Wednesday) so we’ll know more about his chances of playing over the next few weeks after that.

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“I’m very hopeful that he’ll get good news and that he’ll be available to play some part in the Six Nations.”

If Hogg does fail to recover in time to feature, Townsend insists he is happy enough with his cover at 15.

The British and Irish Lion was replaced by Blair Kinghorn against last year’s Grand Slam winners.

The young Edinburgh back scored Scotland’s first ever Six Nations hat-trick from the left wing against Italy in their tournament opener, and Townsend said: “Blair obviously had a great game against Italy. He backed that up on his first touch as he got through the Ireland defence on Saturday and being heavily involved in the second half.

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“It was just a pity that we didn’t get that multi-phase game that we got in the first half that would have allowed someone like Blair to get on the ball more.

“We’ve got good strength and depth in the back three. We’ve got Darcy Graham who has been playing really well for Edinburgh. Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland have both played at full-back and are both very experienced players.

“I believe Byron McGuigan is back for his club this week, so if Stuart is missing – and I really hope that’s not the case – then we do have other players who have played international rugby and are in really good form.”

O’Mahoney’s off-the-ball tackle left Hogg clutching his shoulder in some discomfort but it was just as painful for the rest of his team as Ireland pounced on his lack of mobility to score a second try.

The Munster flanker faced no action from referee Romain Poite at the time and as yet has not been the subject of retrospective disciplinary proceedings, even though Townsend feels there is plainly a strong case to do so.

Speaking as his squad held an open training session in front of 2,000 fans in Clydebank, the head coach said: “It’s clearly a penalty and potentially worse because a player has tackled somebody without the ball and not used his arms to tackle. It was a late tackle as well.

“It’s really disappointing because it wasn’t checked. (The officials) could have gone back because it led to the try, so the TMO should have come in to check an incident that I’m sure the referee wasn’t 100 per cent clear on as it happened so quickly.

“It’s even more disappointing as we lost a player who would have covered the kick as well as the same player for the rest of the game through injury.”

Press Association Sport

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TI 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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