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'Greed from Hogg' - Scotland skipper called out by former great

By Kim Ekin
Stuart Hogg of Scotland is tackled into touch by Hugo Keenan of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg failing to convert a second-half three-on-one into a potentially crucial try has seen the fullback face heavy criticism on social media.

After a really good first half, Hogg broke through the Irish defensive line after brilliantly grubbering to himself and regathering the ball in the Ireland 22.

He then found himself approaching the Irish try line with just Ireland fullback Hugo Keenan standing between him and glory. Despite having two players on his inside with no defensive cover for them to beat, Hogg put his head down and drove for the line.

Keenan did enough to drive him into touch, leaving the Scotland skipper red-faced and his teammates presumably furious. With the score 14 - 5 to Ireland; seven [or even five points] would have given the second half a very different complexion.

Hogg's blunder was hammered online, not least as it came after he was one of six Scotland players disciplined for breaching team protocols earlier the week after going on a drinking session with teammates in Edinburgh after his side's mediocre victory over Italy.

Scotland great Scott Hastings didn't hold back: "Greed from Hogg - disaster and opportunity missed - why would you not pass?"

The Thistle Rugby Pod wrote: "That is absolutely criminal from Hogg. Would he have done that if he didn’t feel he had to make amends for last weekend? Woeful 5 mins for Scotland."

Irish journalist Pat McCarry tweeted: "Holy Jesus, Stuart Hogg.... why?!! Hugo Keenan with a brilliant try-saver but WHAT was Hogg thinking?"

Rugby commentator Dan Mooney observed that: "I want to do one of them videos where you put the Titanic music over a rugby clip, but instead of a score it’s Stuart Hogg absolutely butchering what should have been a simple try."

"Stuart Hogg loves blowing a golden try opportunity in Dublin… not passing inside (especially after Italy’s try earlier today) is absolutely criminal. Phenomenal work from Keenan all the same," wrote one fan.

It'll now doubt be a tough few days for the British & Irish Lion, who's undoubtedly the greatest Scottish player of the professional era.