Stuart Hogg edged closer to Scotland’s all-time try-scoring record but got referee Luke Pearce to admit he’d unfairly denied the Lions full-back a record breaker.
Hogg’s try against Italy in the Guinness 6 Nations opener pulled him level with the legendary “Flying Scotsman” Ian Smith with his eighth try in the championship at Murrayfield, and he now lies just five behind Smith’s record of 24 for Scotland, which he set in the 1920s and 30s and now shares with Tony Stanger.
However the thrilling solo score which would have been Scotland’s sixth and Hogg’s second of the game was chalked off as referee Pearce spotted an obstruction he later admitted to the full-back was not the right decision.
“To be fair to Luke, he came up after the game and apologised,” said Hogg. “It was maybe one of those the referee should have maybe let play out, then go back and check.
“It was a little bit frustrating because I think that would have taken us to 40 points with a conversion, them on 10 or something – so it would have made it dead and buried. But look, it’s the fine margins, it hasn’t been given, so we move on.”
There was one small benefit the try was not given – there was a free beer for every try he scored in the bars and restaurants in which Hogg has a stake in Glasgow, so there was one round instead of two.
For Hogg, scoring 33 points and being not altogether satisfied with the scoreline is a strong sign.
“It’s easy to look back and dismiss the last ten minutes – but those are the things we have to fix,” he said. “We can say we did well and scored 33 points, that’s amazing.
“If we’re being honest, we left a lot out there, as well. You’re never going to get the complete performance.
“But to concede 20, and 17 of those in the last 10 minutes, is really disappointing.
The Scots know that next week will be an entirely different proposition against Ireland and it’ll be “holy high balls” according to Hogg.
“Ireland will pose a different threat with their aerial game. ‘It’s going to be a huge test for us, they are a world-class outfit individually and collectively.
“So we’ll have to be on the money in defence and make the most of our opportunities in attack.”
Head coach Gregor Townsend admitted Sam Skinner’s ankle – which was to be scanned yesterday – added to the Scotland’s serious injury issues problems but there were players who could come back for the Ireland game.
“If we lose any more it would be getting to a worry stage,” he added. “I think the back row played very well for us, even the adjustment we made when Josh (Strauss) came on, I thought the combinations worked very well.
Scots stay under the radar with winning but incomplete performance against Italy
“Jamie Ritchie this season has been in outstanding form for us in November and for his club throughout the season. Today he was outstanding. To have him available, knowing he can play 7 or 6, having Ryan and Josh there, we will have to see what we have to do outside of that.”
There would be a balance between rewarded yesterday’s performance and bringing back experienced campaigners if available, he continued.
“There’s backing the team that has gone out there, and there are players that have played very well for Scotland in the past, that have played these big games, that bring something to the group,” he said.
“There is a specific game that we have to put in place for next week to negate Ireland’s strengths and put them under as much pressure as possible. So there will be an open selection for next week.”
Fraser Brown, Sean Maitland and Jonny Gray are three players who could come into the reckoning for the Ireland game.
