Scotland legend ramps up Ireland clash with Sexton snub and makes feelings clear

07 October 2023 , 07:00

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Scotland legend ramps up Ireland clash with Sexton snub and makes feelings clear

Scotland great Stuart Hogg believes Finn Russell would get in the Ireland side over Johnny Sexton as the two nations prepare for a do or die clash this weekend.

Hogg, his country's all-time leading try scorer, retired just before the Rugby World Cup but is hoping his nation can overcome the odds to beat the world's top ranked nation and secure a spot in the knockout stages. Scotland need a performance of a generation to land the necessary bonus point.

If they are to create history in Paris then Russell will need to have arguably the greatest game of his career. The mercurial fly-half has been among the world's leading playmakers for years with his maverick style lighting up matches for Glasgow, Racing 92 and his country.

Hogg has seen first hand what it is like to play with the 10 and believes he's the best in the world at his position whilst also claiming powerhouse winger Duhan van der Merwe would get in over James Lowe, who has been among the form players in his position for several years.

He said in an interview with RugbyPass: "100 per cent (some Scotland players would make Ireland's team). I'd take Finn, in my opinion he's the best 10 in world rugby, over Johnny Sexton. It sounds silly but they offer different things- Sexton's game management is incredible, but I think the freedom Finn gets to play with, you see his talent.

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"I'd take big Duhan on the left wing ahead of James Lowe. Both very good rugby players in their own way, but just Duhan's try scoring record."

Finn Russell has been Scotland's leading light for years

Van der Merwe is closing in on Hogg's try scoring record and showcased his quality in the Six Nations. Ireland though beat the Scots at Murrayfield en route to the Grand Slam and Scotland haven't tasted victory over the Irish since beating them in 2016.

Hogg admits constantly being downed by those from the Emerald Isle has left its mark on him now he's into retirement and the former Exeter man concedes if Scotland can't lift the trophy later this month he wants it to be host nation France hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup.

He said when quizzed: "Nah i'm not backing Ireland, I'm going for the host nation, France. I want France. It would be amazing if Ireland won, don't get me wrong. I think I don;'t want Ireland because I only beat them twice in my career and I hated playing against them. Whenever you played them you knew the next day you'd br battered and bruised. I got so frustrated playing against them, so I'm probably a bit bitter."

Samuel Meade