Anyone wondering why teenage full back Stuart Hogg is the hope to bring flair to Scotland’s back play just has to look at the family genes his dad John’s just discovered.
It turns out that the 19-year-old is a distant relation to none other than footballing legend George Best, which probably part explains why he’s the first teenager to play for Scotland since Gregor Townsend and on Sunday against France will be the first to start since his mentor Jim Renwick.
”Dad lost both his parents when he was young and he’s always wanted to find out more about his family history,” said Stuart. ”He recently was sent a newspaper cutting about me from an Irish newspaper from a cousin with a phone number attached.
”The lady on the phone was able to tell him that my gran’s gran was a Best, and that we are actually related to George, and dad was in tears when he heard.
”It’s pretty amazing to find something like this out especially when dad’s been wanting to find out more about his family for so long, and hopefully we’ll be able to meet up soon.”
Hogg meanwhile describes his meteoric rise in his first professional season as ”literally a dream come true.”
”All I was looking to do this year was maybe get a place in the Glasgow team when the guys were away at the World Cup, and listening to what Jim (Renwick) was advising me.
”It’s been so great to have him on board with advice and he’s always telling me what to do, and that he was a pretty fair players himself, although all I’ve seen is clips on ESPN Classic, and you have to be pretty old for your games to be featured on that!”
The squad have also helped Hogg, although key advice was cut short in Cardiff last time out.
”I was on the bench and speaking to Al Kellock who was telling me to stay in the game and pay attention to what’s happening on the field,” he said.
”Then Max (Evans) was unlucky enough to get injured and before Al and I could finish the conversation I was warming up and on the pitch.
”I felt I did enough when I was on in Wales so it’s great to get my first start, but it is slightly surprising. This week’s a wee bit more nerve-wracking than Cardiff, it’s going to be a challenge but one I’m massively excited about.”
Back home, there have been emotions with both mum and dad in tears when he left for Cardiff, but as is usual in Hawick there’s also been some keen to make sure the hometown lad doesn’t get above himself.
”Some have been behind me and some give me a little bit of stick,” he laughed. ”Stick for my white boots, for the fact that apparently I twirl and stick my tongue out when I’m running.
”I get some tips off guys I know are absolutely useless at rugby, but it’s just banter. Everyone in Hawick thinks they know better than anyone about rugby.”
Greig Laidlaw believes his fellow Borders can become a key man for Scotland right away.
”He came on down in Wales and made breaks. It was international rugby, but he was straight in there,” pointed out the fly-half.
”He’s a great talent and I don’t know if I’m actually that surprised he’s come in. Sometimes guys like that come along, international rugby is about timing as well and with Mossy (Chris Paterson) retiring there was a gap there and it’s worked out well for him. He’s the form player in Scotland so he deserves his place.”
Photo by David Davies/PA Wire