STUART HOGG HOPES Scotland can take a leaf out of Glasgow’s book by beating the major powers in Europe when the Six Nations gets underway next month.

Hogg was a member of the Glasgow side that thrashed two-time European champions Leicester 43-0 at the English giants’ Welford Road ground on Saturday — arguably the most remarkable result in the history of continental club rugby union.

Hogg scored against Ireland last year in Dublin. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Victory saw the Warriors into the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, Europe’s premier club tournament, for the first time in their history.

The win was secured in grand style, Glasgow scoring six tries to inflict only Leicester’s second home European defeat of all time.

Now Scotland fullback Hogg wants the national side to throw off their shackles after years of fearing the worst against Test rugby union’s leading nations.

Their first chance comes when they welcome Ireland, now a major force in global rugby union, to Murrayfield for a Six Nations opener on February 4.

Hogg, asked if Scotland could match Glasgow’s progress, said: “I don’t see why not.

Finn Russell has been playing awesome at 10 for Glasgow, so if we can get outside him for Scotland, I think we’ll be grand,” he added ahead of Ireland’s visit to Edinburgh next month.

- ‘Scared’ -

“I’m not going to lie, there was times in years gone by when we were scared about what was going to happen.

But now we’re confident about going down and getting the job done. We believe we have the playing staff, the structures and the coaching staff to get us victories.

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“We will concentrate on Ireland first up and then after that we will look at the next opposition.”

Hogg with Jamie Heaslip. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend will take over as Scotland boss at the end of the season and now the challenge for Vern Cotter in his final campaign in charge of the Dark Blues is to make sure the confidence several of his key players have gained at club level is not lost when they return to the international arena.

If we can harness that feel-good factor the guys are enjoying at club level and replicate it here, we feel that definitely gives us a chance,” said defence coach Matt Taylor, who works with both Glasgow and Scotland.

“The boys have come in with a spring in their step. They’re really excited and full of confidence — and I’m sure that will translate into performances in the Six Nations.”

- © AFP, 2017

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