Will you be backing Hogg for Scotland Six Nations glory?
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Having run one of the Six Nations favourites close at Murrayfield last time out, Scotland will be expecting to exorcise a few demons when they face Italy this weekend.
A last-minute drop goal from Duncan Weir rescued a 20-21 victory for the Thistle the last time they met the Azzurri but anyone expecting a similarly close encounter this time round may be left disappointed.
Scotland have put in some improved displays since Vern Cotter’s arrival as coach, having run both Wales and France close in the Six Nations already this year.
Those results, coupled with fine Autumn test international wins over Argentina and Tonga along with a solid showing against world champions New Zealand, make the hosts heavy favourites for victory here.
And if there is one man to back for a try against Italy it is in-form full-back Stuart Hogg.
The 22-year-old has been a solid performer for club side Glasgow Warriors for some time but it’s his recent showings for Scotland that make him a great pick.
A try scorer in those wins over Tonga and Argentina, the man picked as part of the 2013 British and Irish Lions squad grabbed all the headlines last time out against Wales after going over the line in some style.
Taking a pass from Richie Gray back at Scotland’s 10 metre line, Hogg surged forward to score on nine minutes and give Scotland real hope against Wales, who had won each of the last four meetings between the two by a margin of 10 points or more.
Put in a similar showing against Italy and the prices available on a Hogg try may be too good to resist.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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