BORDERER Stuart Hogg is one of only three Scots rugby players named in British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland’s squad to tour Australia this summer.
Gatland announced his 37-strong party this morning for the 10-match, three test tour, which begins against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1.
Only two other Scots got the nod, in the shape of Richie Gray and Sean Maitland, with disappointment for Borderers like Scotland captain, Kelly Brown, and international hooker, Ross Ford, who both miss out.
Speaking to The Southern shortly after the announcement was made, Hogg’s coach at Glasgow Warriors, former Gala, Scotland and Lions fly-half Gregor Townsend, said he was delighted for the Hawick fullback.
He told us: “We moved training so the guys could watch the announcement - Stuart didn’t come in, but stayed outside practising kicking.
“ But he had his phone with him and there was a scream of joy from the pitch when he found out.”
BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS SQUAD
Backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Rob Kearney (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales), Sean Maitland (Scotland), George North (Wales), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England), Owen Farrell (England), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales), Ben Youngs (England).
Forwards: Dan Cole (England), Cian Healy (Ireland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Matt Stevens (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Dylan Hartley (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Tom Youngs (England), Ian Evans (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O’Connell (Ireland), Geoff Parling (England), Tom Croft (England), Toby Faletau (Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Sam Warburton (Wales, C).