Ally Hogg to hang up his boots
Newcastle Falcons and former Scotland back-row Ally Hogg has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of this campaign.
After a career which has included 48 Scotland caps and 175 appearances for Newcastle, Hogg is calling time.
The 35-year-old scored the dramatic last-minute winner less than a week ago as the Falcons ended their 20-year wait for an away win at Leicester Tigers, and the back-row forward hopes to bow out on a high after propelling the club into their first ever Premiership semi-final.
A sold-out Kingston Park Stadium crowd will get to show their appreciation one last time on Saturday when the Falcons host Wasps in the final round of the Premiership regular season, Hogg saying: “It’s always a sad time when you have to end one career and look on to the next one, but I’ve had a good run.
“I’m 35 now which is a decent age for a back-rower, and there have been many highs and lows along the way. Getting to do your hobby for a job is something you can’t put a price on, and I’ve had a fantastic time. I’m pleased with how things have gone but I feel it’s time now to try something different.”
Beginning his professional career in his native Scotland, Hogg said: “I’ve stuck with just the two clubs, going eight years with Edinburgh and eight years with Newcastle, and I’m glad I did it that way.
“I had a great time up in Edinburgh but I always wanted to try the English Premiership, and it has been everything I thought it would be.
“Things didn’t go so well at the start with Newcastle but it’s culminating with a place in the Premiership semi-finals, and the progression we’ve seen across all the competitions this season makes it the obvious time to bow out on a high. Now it’s on to the next chapter.”
Keen to credit Hogg’s role in Newcastle Falcons’ resurgence as a club, director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Ally has been an absolutely fabulous player for us and a great person to work with.
“It’s still a mystery to me why the Scotland management haven’t included him over the last few seasons because he can do things that other players can’t, and I’ve seen few back-rowers who can read the game as well as he does.
“In addition to his obvious contribution to the team’s on-field performance he has always been a really positive influence on our younger players, passing on all of his expertise, and I was delighted for him when he popped up with the winner at Leicester last week.
“He will certainly be missed when he does eventually hang up his boots, but with a massive finish to the season in prospect he has a bit of work to before then.”