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Six Nations: Stuart Hogg has Lions chance says Scotland coach Duncan Hodge

Scotland play Ireland this weekend

Tom White
Wednesday 20 February 2013 15:28 GMT
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Stuart Hogg
Stuart Hogg (Getty Images)

Scotland coaching assistant Duncan Hodge has urged Stuart Hogg to continue his fine early Six Nations form and give himself a chance of representing the British and Irish Lions.

Hogg has scored impressive tries against England and Italy and is seen as a contender for a summer berth with the Lions.

But Hodge has warned the Glasgow full-back he cannot afford to rest on his laurels ahead of Sunday’s Murrayfield encounter with Ireland.

Hodge said: "He has got some great attributes and to be put in that mix, you have got to play well five weeks out of five.

"You have got to play well season after season, and that's Hoggy's challenge now, to keep reproducing that good form.

"That's what rugby is about and what being a good player is about, replicating characteristics and form over a sustained period.

"He's an incredibly talented player. What we are after from all the guys is just that they back it up week to week.

"That's where we are going as a squad - Italy has been and gone. It's about what happens on Sunday."

Greig Laidlaw is another back who has impressed, moving from fly-half to scrum-half and producing a flawless kicking display in Scotland’s 34-10 victory over Italy.

"You would not say it's easy for most players but it seems to be fairly easy for him, which is a credit to him," former Scotland stand-off Hodge said.

"He has adapted well and wherever he has played, he has been an integral part of Scotland over the last year.

"It definitely helps when you are scoring tries and it becomes seven instead of five and you are building scoreboard pressure.

"It is an important aspect of the game, so it's great if he can continue to kick his kicks."

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