Stuart Hogg is heading for the ideal place to allow him to continue to develop his effervescent style of rugby according to new international team-mate and prospective clubmate Sam Skinner.
The two-time British & Irish Lion confirmed yesterday that he was leaving Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season and, while he did not state where he would be going, he is believed to have agreed terms with Skinner’s Exeter Chiefs.
Potentially entering the peak years of his career, Hogg thanked Glasgow yesterday for having backed him during his time at the club and in leaving the organisation he has been with since his mid-teens.
“This is a decision that’s taken a great deal of thought as I’ve loved my nine seasons at Glasgow Warriors,” said the 26-year-old.
“I said I would decide my next step for family and rugby reasons and feel now is the right time to gain new rugby experiences and push myself in different situations where I will be challenged and hopefully improve further.
“I’m proud of what I have achieved with Glasgow Warriors and Scotland so far and would like to thank the club and Scottish Rugby for all their support. That’s the send-off I want to give the club and the fans.”
As the outstanding Scottish player of his generation it was inevitable that the full-back would survey his options when his current contract with Glasgow ended, just as long-time clubmate Finn Russell did when agreeing a big money move to French club Racing 92 last season.
Admittedly, a move to the power-oriented English Premiership would previously have looked like a major risk for the free-spirited Hogg, but after his memorable introduction to Test rugby Skinner pointed out that Exeter have brought a new dimension to that competition with their style of play.
Describing himself as a ‘little posh boy from England’, Skinner picked up the man-of-the-match award on his international debut against Fiji, then claimed that as the son of a passionate Scot he had spent his developing years torn to the extent of becoming a rarity in supporting both, saying: “I didn’t know what to think when I was watching England play Scotland with my dad. I just wanted some champagne rugby from both teams.”
However, tellingly in terms of Hogg’s recruitment, he reckons he has fitted in as easily as he has since agreeing to offer his allegiance to his father’s homeland because similarities in playing style mean there has not been too much of an adjustment to make.
“I love the way Scotland play. I think it suits my game. I really like the way Gregor’s trying to implement a fast, high-tempo, almost champagne style of rugby. They play a similar style to Exeter and that excites me,” he said.
Skinner denied any knowledge of Hogg’s impending move to Devon, saying the two had not discussed Exeter, but observed that “any club would love to have a player of his ability.”
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