Scotland v England Six Nations: Our best squad in a decade says Stuart Hogg as hosts seek Calcutta Cup lift-off

It’s ten years this week since Stuart Hogg helped a Scotland A side defeat the England Saxons 35-0 at Netherdale in a match that made seasoned observers sit up and take notice.

It’s not often that second string internationals cause too many ripples but this result made waves.

Hogg announced his arrival that night with a wonderful solo try, slaloming his way through the England defence after catching a high ball in his own half.

“I think that was the kick-start of my career, really,” Hogg reflected yesterday as he looked forward to today’s Calcutta Cup clash at BT Murrayfield.

“It was very memorable. They had Ugo Monye on the wing who was on the Lions tour three years earlier and I don’t think he touched the ball.

“I think at that point that would have been the biggest game of rugby I had ever been involved in. To have the opportunity to represent a senior Scotland side down at Netherdale was quality.

“It’s quite scary that it was ten years ago. It means that I’m getting old. I’ve absolutely loved it and it’s been a good journey so far but I’m far from finished.”

Hogg made his full Scotland debut nine days later and is now about to embark on his 11th Six Nations campaign and his third as captain. It has, as he says, been quite the journey.

Last summer he toured with the Lions for a third time and was part of the Test side in South Africa. Then in November he became Scotland’s all-time leading try-scorer by notching his 25th score in the win over Japan. There have been notable club successes, too, helping Glasgow Warriors to the Pro12 title in 2015 and then being instrumental in Exeter Chiefs’ Premiership and European Champions Cup double in 2020.

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Hogg spoke this week about “struggling