SM
Wolves vs. Forest: 20 hrs 47 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 22, 2019 at 8.45am UK
 
Ireland
27-3
Scotland
Ryan (7'), Best (15'), Furlong (25'), Conway (56')
FT

Stuart Hogg mistaken for Greig Laidlaw in Japan

:Headline: Stuart Hogg mistaken for Greig Laidlaw in Japan: ID:371835: from db_amp
The Exeter full-back is among the biggest names in Gregor Townsend's squad yet he has found himself in former skipper Grieg Laidlaw's shade.

Stuart Hogg has already suffered a case of mistaken identity in Japan but the Scotland star has no trouble recognising the threat facing his side in Sunday's World Cup opener against Ireland.

The Exeter full-back is among the biggest names in Gregor Townsend's squad yet he has found himself in former skipper Greig Laidlaw's shade since touching down in the Far East.

The scrum-half has emerged as an unlikely poster boy for the Scots, with his team-mates left in stitches last week when hundreds of youngsters – as well as dozens of camera crews – flocked to catch a glimpse of the unassuming Borderer during an open training session during their training camp in Nagasaki.

Their interest stems back to his role as captain when the Dark Blues faced this year's hosts in their opening game of the 2015 tournament.

But Hogg's reputation as one of the game's most thrilling attackers has apparently failed to stick in the minds of the Japanese public after he was first confused by a fan with stand-off Finn Russell – then more alarmingly with prop WP Nel.

Hogg – who will earn his 70th cap if he features against Joe Schmidt's men in Yokohama this weekend – explained: "Mr Greig is a hero wherever he goes. It's been great to see. There has been a lot of support for Greig and for the Scotland team in general.

But Hogg admits there is no mistaking the quality available to Schmidt this weekend, even if his opposite number Rob Kearney and wing Keith Earls are both ruled out alongside Robbie Henshaw.

Hogg said: "I think Ireland have got some incredible players.

"If Kearney was to come out and Andrew Conway was to come in, then that's another world-class player that we have to be fully aware of.

"Whatever team Ireland put out on Sunday we're going to have to match and beat.

"It's exciting times for us. If they play the boys that haven't got as much experience it will still be an incredibly huge challenge for us.

"Our game plan has a lot of different parts to the puzzle. We're just concentrating on ourselves and making sure we don't beat ourselves or make too many silly errors.

"We might get five or six opportunities in a game to put points on the board and we need to make the most of every single one of them."

The Irish currently top the world rankings but Hogg is glad his side are taking on their Pool A rivals first up.

Stuart Hogg (right) Hogg will earn his 70th cap if he features against Joe Schmidt's men in Yokohama this weekend (Ian Rutherford/PA)

"In Test match rugby there is no such thing as an easy game but if there's a time to take on Ireland then I believe it's now, before they build up a head of steam," he said.

"We're fully aware of the challenge they'll bring. But we're very much focused on ourselves and we're determined to ensure we bring our 'A' game to the party.

"Defensively we will have to be spot on, we believe defensive we will win the World Cup."

amp_article__371835 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-09-18 06:52:16:
html db last update - 2019-09-18 06:52:16 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Stuart Hogg

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .