Fleet-footed Exeter full-back Stuart Hogg says swapping Glasgow for rugby-daft Devon is one of the best decisions he has ever made as he targets a place on next year’s Lions tour.
A whirlwind six months has taken Hogg from the lows of Scotland’s miserable World Cup campaign to the high of captaining his country during the Six Nations, albeit a campaign that was tempered by errors against Ireland and England and fallout from the Finn Russell affair.
However, now firmly settled in Ottery St Mary just outside Exeter and with things falling into place for club and country, Hogg cuts a more contented figure as he plots his career path with silverware at Chiefs, adding to his 76 caps and a third crack at the Lions firmly on his radar.
Hogg told The Rugby Paper: “I’m loving it here. Coming to Devon is the best decision we’ve made as a family and it’s been refreshing to experience new things. In terms of rugby it’s the best thing I’ve ever done and it’s a club I’ve fallen in love with straight away. We’ve a great group of boys playing a lovely brand of rugby and the fanbase is incredible, so it’s a match made in heaven.
“I’m learning a lot on and off the field. I have 76 caps but I’m a big believer that you’re never the complete player – there’s always a lot to improve upon individually that will help the team.
“We have guys like Gareth Steenson, Phil Dollman and Ben Moon who’ve been here a long time and I’m happy to pick their brains. There’s a cracking set of coaches as well who have a big influence on the way we all play and learn.”
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 26, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 26, 2020-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run