Scotland captain Hogg reveals source of frustration in Ireland Six Nations defeat

Stuart Hogg says conceding 24 points to Ireland is the most frustrating thing for Scotland – not the manner of their Guinness Six Nations defeat after battling back to 24-24 heading into the final minutes.

In a topsy-turvy match Scotland saw their second narrow home defeat despite registering 24 points but a costly error count contributed to undo the good work from Gregor Townsend’s team.

The engrossing, if untidy, encounter ended with a rallying Scotland levelling the scores – only to concede a late penalty which Johnny Sexton kicked and sent Ireland to a 27-24 victory and second in the Guinness Six nations table.

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“The frustrating thing for us is giving Ireland 24 points in the first place. They took their opportunities, credit to them but for the second week in a row we’ve been ill-disciplined and allowed them easy field position, and killed ourselves at times.

Scotland's Stuart Hogg with Johnny Sexton at full time during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield, on March 14 in Edinburgh, Scotland.  (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)Scotland's Stuart Hogg with Johnny Sexton at full time during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield, on March 14 in Edinburgh, Scotland.  (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Scotland's Stuart Hogg with Johnny Sexton at full time during the Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield, on March 14 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

We gave them good positions – but they executed it extremely well – fair play to them,” conceded Hogg at full-time.

The captain played a key – and fortunate – role in Scotland’s opening try for Finn Russell to give the home side the lead - when the ball ricocheted off his chin to avoid a knock-on stoppage and for the ball to be kicked on for Russell’s score.

Hogg added: “I was knackered and the ball’s been kicked straight into me – it was a little bit of luck there and we’ll take it. I felt we were in control of the game but other times we let it slip. You talk about living in the moment and staying in the moment and unfortunately we’ve slipped up today.

“We scored 24 points by playing the way we want to play – we can be told how to play all the time but what’s working for us at times is throwing the ball around at times. Yes it’d be good to have a bit more of a clinical edge at times but you just have to take every opportunity in international rugby.”

Ireland certainly took theirs with Sexton clinical with the boot – although the Irish captain struck the post with a conversion attempt early on, however it di not prove costly with a well-judged kick in the closing stages to secure the victory.

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