Blair's backing for Hogg
By Mark Stevens
19/2/20
Scotland assistant coach Mike Blair expects captain Stuart Hogg to impress against Italy following his mini break back at club side Exeter Chiefs.
Summer signing Hogg scored a spectacular first Gallagher Premiership try during last Friday’s 26-15 victory over Gloucester at Kingsholm.
That victory ensured Rob Baxter’s side maintained pole position in English rugby’s top flight, leading the way by four points from next-best Northampton Saints, who provide the next opposition for the Chiefs at Sandy Park this Sunday (1pm).
For Hogg, though, it was a welcome return back to Devon after a testing opening two weeks in this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship.
Not only did Scotland lose to both Ireland and England in their opening two games, but the media were quick to round on the newly-named captain for errors made in both fixtures.
According to Blair, though, the fruitful break from being in the international spotlight appears to have provided the perfect antidote for Hogg, who has been joined in the Scotland squad this week by club-mate Sam Skinner.
Blair said: “I think Stuart has played really well in the games. He has had a couple of unfortunate bits, particularly against Ireland with the try.Against England, I don’t think there was a huge amount he could have done in the build-up to their try, because the ball just wouldn’t stop for him. So he had to make a decision on it and we could have defended better in other phases.
“But it was great to see Stuart scoring a try – he made sure he had two hands on it when he touched down and made sure afterwards again. He’s a confident guy and he is playing well at the moment, so we expect to see that against Italy as well.”
Hogg assumed captaincy duties just as Finn Russell’s international exile began and Blair confirmed there had been no contact between head coach Gregor Townsend and the fly-half following each party’s media interviews on the subject.
Former skipper Blair said: “There have been a few things to take his mind on but we have been really pleased with how he has done.
“The group around him have helped a lot as well so he can just concentrate on playing and coming in and saying bits and bobs, creating the environment that he wants. We are really happy with how he has been leading the team.”
Blair admitted Saturday’s clash in Rome was huge after a frustrating start.
“I think it’s a must-win,” he said. “We have shown some positives in the first two games but it’s not about how you play, it’s winning games. We have shown improvement but we need to get over the line and put some pressure on a really good Italian team.”