Dean Richards, Newcastle Falcons' director of rugby, believes that Ally Hogg is ready for a return to the international arena after a series of powerful performances from the former Scotland forward that have helped the club to the top of the Championship, England's second-tier competition.
Falcons dropped out of the Aviva Premiership at the end of last season but they have set the pace in their first three Championship matches, each of which has produced a bonus-point win. Hogg, who has been used at blindside, has been in outstanding form, scoring four tries, including a hat trick in the side's 49-32 win against London Scottish two weeks ago.
After making his debut in the 2004 Six Nations, Hogg was a near ever-present in the Scotland back-row for five years, winning 48 caps for his country. However, his Test career came to an abrupt halt in February 2009 when Frank Hadden was still in charge of the side, after he was dropped following a defeat by Wales.
Now 29, hogg has made it clear that he wants to be involved again, but Andy Robinson, who had never hesitated to pick the player in his time as Edinburgh coach, has not called on his services during his time in charge of the national team, a policy that baffles Richards.
"He is a very, very accomplished player," said Richards, now rebuilding his career at Newcastle after a three-year suspension for his involvement in the 'Bloodgate' scandal. "I talked to him about this [not being picked by Scotland] and it would be one of my goals to get him a few more caps. Having looked at him play, I think he deserves it.
"Ally has been outstanding for us this year, he really has. He's just a great footballer, and he understands the game extremely well. I don't think people appreciate the work that he does put in. He's a natural leader as well and I think he has done extremely well here.
"He's got a lot of caps already and he's still a young lad. I rate him very highly. The thing about him is that he can play any position in the back row and adapt to each of them really well. His understanding of the game and what is required is second to none."
Hogg is just one of a number of Scots on the Kingston Park payroll, the others including Rory Lawson, Scott MacLeod, Euan Murray (who is temporarily on loan to Agen), Grant Shiells and Sean Tomes. Lawson's prospects of an international recall also appear to be on the rise after confirmation that Chris Cusiter is set to miss this year's autumn internationals due to his shoulder injury.
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