Hogg to be given freedom (From The Northern Echo)

Hogg to be given freedom

8:00am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in Sport

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson is excited at the prospect of seeing Stuart Hogg run at France in Sunday's RBS Six Nations atch at Murrayfield.

The 19-year-old Glasgow Warriors full-back was yesterday named in a Scotland team showing four changes from the one which lost to Wales.

Hogg, who made his debut in Cardiff, is set to make his first Test start, while there were recalls for flanker John Barclay, scrum-half Mike Blair and centre Graeme Morrison. In addition, there were two further positional switches - Sean Lamont moving to outside centre and Rory Lamont to the wing.

Hogg excelled after coming off the replacements' bench during the first half for Max Evans - still missing due to an ankle problem - and won his second cap on merit after impressing Robinson.

Hogg is from Hawick in the Scottish Borders and made his Glasgow debut in February 2011. It has been a meteoric rise since.

After establishing himself in the Warriors team while the senior squad members were at the Rugby World Cup, Hogg retained his place for the Heineken Cup games and was rewarded for his showing with a Scotland A call-up.

Hogg scored a try from his own half in the 35-0 win over England Saxons, earning him a place on the bench in Cardiff - and his performance at the Millennium Stadium has led to another promotion.

Robinson hopes Hogg can play in the same manner against World Cup finalists France, a team Scotland have beaten once in Six Nations competition, and praised the teenager's attitude.

"He's got freedom to play," Robinson added. "He's an individual. His character is great. The more the pressure, the more he wants to put himself up there."