Gregor Townsend declared Stuart Hogg “one of the best players in the history of Scottish rugby” forward of the full-back’s a centesimal cap in opposition to Ireland on Sunday.
The 30-year-old has established himself as a mainstay at the hours of darkness blue jersey since making his worldwide debut in opposition to Wales in 2012.
Townsend is hoping the pre-match fanfare for Hogg will assist encourage Scotland to a victory over Ireland as they bid to land a primary Triple Crown since 1990 and hold themselves in rivalry for the Six Nations title.
“It’s very well deserved,” stated the top coach of Hogg’s accomplishment. “He’s been one in every of our greatest gamers over the past 10 years but in addition within the historical past of Scottish rugby.
“We put a tribute video on for him the opposite day once we introduced the group with a number of the tries he’s scored, a number of the victories he’s been concerned in.
“The artistic nature of his recreation, his sturdiness, his love of the jersey, his love of enjoying the sport has been fixed all through that interval.
“Right from 19-20 years old when I first started working with him at Scotland, and then at Glasgow, it blew me away to see his passing with either hand, his kicking ability, his speed. He’s been one of the best rugby players I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
“It’s a great game to win your 100th cap, back at home, with a trophy at stake.
“He’ll lead the team out and I’m sure the crowd will want to show their love for him and their appreciation of what he’s done in that jersey.”
Townsend detects that Hogg is keen to make a huge impact on his landmark outing.
“This week he’s trained the best he has this season, so he’s responded really well to being named in the team, to having the players behind him and congratulating him on his 100th cap,” stated the coach.
“He’s looking in great physical shape. I know he was wanting to play last weekend for Exeter but I messaged him to say ‘look, just take it as a positive that not playing will mean you’re going to be really fresh for what will be a big week for you’.”
Townsend has made two modifications to the XV that began in opposition to France per week previous Sunday.
Jonny Gray will exchange suspended lock Grant Gilchrist, whereas Jack Dempsey will make his first Six Nations begin at quantity eight, with Hamish Watson dropping to the bench.
“Jack’s been really consistent in training and he’s taken that into the games where he’s come off the bench and we feel this is the right time to see that blend,” stated Townsend.
“We believe Hamish can have a big role to play in that last quarter of the game or longer, potentially.
“When you play against the top sides in the world, the last 20 minutes is going to be very important, just like the first 20 minutes.”
Townsend feels his group are in good condition to compete with Ireland however he’s braced for a formidable problem from the world’s top-ranked group.
“It’s the best Ireland team we’ve faced,” he stated. “They’re on the back of a lot of big wins and they’ve got their strongest team they could probably put out to play us this weekend, so – while we’ve improved – we’ve got more improvement in us and we’re going up against a team that’s on top of their game.”