O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN

CHEEKY CHAPPIE BUT HOGG ‘CAN BE LEGEND JUST LIKE O’DRISCOLL’

NEW captain Stuart Hogg has been tipped to become Scotland’s answer to legendary Ireland superstar Brian O’Driscoll.

The Scots kick off their Six Nations campaign in Dublin tomorrow, with Hogg at the helm for the first time in the tournament after a difficult build-up.

But former national skipper John Barclay believes the full-back has the grit and gravitas to inspire the national side.

‘He’s got that cheeky side,’ said Barclay, who only retired from international rugby last month. ‘But to me he’s a lot like Brian O’Driscoll in that respect.

‘Brian was a British & Irish Lions captain, Ireland captain — and you wouldn’t argue

with the fact that he kept his cheeky side to him. ‘When you speak to Brian, you can see he’s still got that glint in his eye. ‘So it’s just about knowing the difference between when it’s time for business and it’s time to have a laugh. That’s important for Hoggy.’ Detailing the transformation he has witnessed in 27-year-old Hogg, twice a Player of the Six Nations Championship and again shortlisted for European Player of the Year, Barclay told

Sportsmail: ‘For me, okay, everyone knows what Hoggy does as a player, right? ‘Since he’s come on the scene, touring with the Lions at age 20, that speaks volumes for his ability. ‘But his growth as a man has been as impressive, if not more, than his progress as a rugby player. ‘When you get success at a very young age, as he did, I wouldn’t say it went to his head. ‘But he kind of lost his way a little bit. ‘And he would admit as much himself. ‘From where he was then to where he is now, his reading of the game, his maturity at training and in games — his growth has been outstanding. ‘I’m not surprised he’s captain because it’s a great natural challenge for him. ‘He loves his rugby. He watches it all the time and his analysis is great. ‘He’s also meticulous in his planning. I’ve definitely seen him become more and more vocal. ‘That isn’t absolutely essential for a leader — but it helps. ‘He’s learned a bit off the leaders in the group, he leaned on the (internationally) retired Greig Laidlaw a bit, because they were very, very close. ‘Over the years, he’s become more vociferous when it comes to telling players how much it means to play for Scotland, showing the passion he has. ‘And he drives standards. ‘He drives his own standards and drives the standards for others.’