Stuart Hogg: Craig Chalmers expects full-back to lose Scotland’s captaincy

David Skippers

Craig Chalmers believes Stuart Hogg will be relieved of his duties as the country’s captain after their recent underwhelming Six Nations campaign.

Scotland‘s build-up to their 26-5 defeat to Ireland in their last Six Nations match was rocked when it emerged that Hogg was amongst six players who were part of a disciplinary breach.

Along with Finn Russell, Sam Johnson, Ali Price and Sione Tuipulotu and Darcy Graham, Hogg left the team’s hotel and went to a bar in Edinburgh following their return from their match against Italy in Rome.

Although the captain apologised for the breach, after his team’s loss to Ireland in Dublin, he appeared agitated when he had to field several questions over the incident. Meanwhile, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend would not confirm whether the full-back would continue as captain on Scotland’s upcoming tour to Argentina in July.

And former Scotland fly-half Chalmers, who played in 60 Tests for his country between 1989 and 1999, expects Hogg to be replaced as the team’s skipper.

Difficult to stay on as skipper

“I think he’s going to find it very hard to hold on to the captaincy,” he told the BBC.

“I don’t think he should have been given it in the first place. Full-back’s not a great place to captain from because you’ve got to be in amongst it, round about the referee, asking questions, finding stuff out. I think he will relinquish it.”

Chalmers said the Edinburgh back-row duo of Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, would be the perfect candidates to replace Hogg in the leadership role.

“We’ve just got to see who takes over,” he said. “What leaders are there? Are there enough leaders in that team? Hamish Watson maybe. Jamie Ritchie, for me, is the guy that’s going to be there long term but will he be fit for the tour to Argentina in the summer?

“I’m not too sure. But, yes, I think there will be a change.”

READ MORE: Scotland: Gregor Townsend proud of player response after disciplinary breach