Hogg eyes 2017

Stuart Hogg is already targeting a 2017 British & Irish Lions Test jersey. [more]

Hogg eyes 2017

Stuart Hogg is already targeting a 2017 British & Irish Lions Test jersey.

The Scotland full-back was the youngest member of Warren Gatland’s squad that triumphed in Australia. Hogg impressed in mid-week matches but failed to break into the Test squad, with Leigh Halfpenny making the number 15 jersey his own as the Lions claimed a first Test series victory in 16 years.

But Hogg has already set his sights on the 2017 tour of New Zealand and is determined to do everything possible to secure his place.

"I had nothing to lose down there. I wasn't expected to be in a starting position but in the end I played five of the 10 games,” said Hogg.

"So I'm happy enough with how it went. Obviously I was disappointed not to be involved in the Test teams but when you are sitting behind the man (Halfpenny) who gets named man of the series, it takes a bit of the pain away.

"When the team was named for the last match of the tour and I found out I wasn't going to play in the final Test, it just made me all the hungrier to be involved next time.

"It's four years away and I'll concentrate on Glasgow and Scotland until it comes around. But getting a Test slot is my main target."

Hogg even featured at fly-half during the tour, a position in which he had never previously occupied as a professional. He has been tipped to make the move to number 10 but insists he is happy to remain in his more familiar position of full-back.

"I had a great experience in Australia this summer,” said Hogg. “I loved it and learned a lot. I was the youngest player on tour and had a lot of players to learn from.

"Having Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney in my position for starts was brilliant. Then I got moved to 10 for a couple of games and I had Jonny Sexton and Owen Farrell (to work with). That's only going to improve me as a player.

"But I don't really want to be playing 10 and 15 back and forth. We have got three 10s here at Glasgow in Ruaridh Jackson, Dunccy Weir and Scott Wight who can step up there and do a good job.

"I will play wherever I'm told to play but the point I'm trying to get across is that I don't want to play 10 one week, 15 the next, unless I really have to.

"I want to get settled in to one position and work hard on my game. If I do need to go to 10, I'll step up there but first and foremost make myself available for the 15 jersey.

"Versatility is a great thing to have but it's about getting consistency in the one position. If I'm going to be playing 10, then I'd like to play it for a number of weeks. If it's 15, then much the same. Switching back and forward is not what I'm after.

"But I know how our coach Gregor Townsend wants to play and I guarantee that won't happen."

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