Life in PicturesThe Scotland full-back only recently turned 27 but has already crammed
a shedload into his career. He reflects on the ups and downs...
Words Tom English // Pictures Getty Images & InphoJUMP FOR JOY
“That was after beating
France in 2016. I managed to
put Vis (Tim Visser) over in the
corner with an overhead flick and
it was the luckiest thing you’ll ever
see in your life. I got Man of the
Match. Everything clicked.”MY LIFE IN PICTURES...
STUART HOGG
2016
2017
2011
TOP GONG
“It was an incredible honour
to get voted Six Nations Player of
the Tournament once, not to mind
twice. This is the second one.
“I’m lucky because I’ve always
had coaches who’ve encouraged
me to back my ability and take
risks. With Scotland I get to play
behind one of the best tens in the
world in Finn Russell, a guy unreal
at putting people into space.
“That was an incredible
individual honour but it wouldn’t
have come unless the whole
team went forward.”YOUTH OFFENDER
“This is the Junior World
Cup in Italy in 2011. I’m playing
Tonga here. There’s a story
surrounding this that I’ll never
be allowed to forget.
“We played South Africa in
our first game – and lost 33-0.
I was found guilty of hitting
Johan Goosen with a late shot
and I got a two-match ban.
“I missed the games against
England and Ireland and those
were the games that my parents
had pre-arranged to fly out for.
They came for ten days, didn’t see
me play, then went home again.”