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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Stuart Hogg admits Glasgow remember Leinster bullying them in Scotstown rout

Stuart Hogg says Glasgow are gunning to avoid the humiliation they suffered at Leinster's hands in Scotstown last season.

That 34-18 rout occurred over 18 months ago now, in the Champions Cup pool stages, propelling the province on at the start of their double-winning year.

"They came across here and bullied us," remembered Hogg. "I think we have had some good ding dong battles with Leinster over the years. At times in big games we came up short." 

That home loss has remained fresh in Hogg's memory but as he prepares for his last game for Glasgow before his departure for Exeter Chiefs, the classy Scotland full-back knows that the Warriors are a team transformed under Dave Rennie.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Dave Rennie (©INPHO/Alex Davidson)



"For me, it’s all about doing my job for the team and making sure that we give ourselves the best opportunity to lift a trophy," said the 26-year-old. 

"If I'm going out there and expressing myself, having some fun and having a smile on my face then it means that things are going quite well for us. 

"It’s going to be a hugely physical battle up front. Defensively we are going to have to be spot on, try and keep their key players out of the game as much as we possibly can and make the most of the opportunities we get with the ball. 

"There might be only five or six but we have to make sure we are making the most of it; kept that scoreboard ticking over and play in the right areas. 

"Rugby is a fairly simple game when you get it right so here’s hoping at the weekend we can do exactly that."

Hogg acknowledges that the seven-try Champions Cup hiding dished out by Saracens was a turning point as Glasgow have won four on the bounce since, putting 50 points on Ulster in the semi-final last week.

Glasgow Warriors' Stuart Hogg after the semi-final win over Ulster (©INPHO/James Crombie)



"The game against Saracens was probably the best thing to happen to us," the Lions star claimed. "They gave us the kick up the backside that we needed. 

"Up front we were bullied, we weren’t clinical enough as a backline and that's the way that you have to play in these final games.

"We have had a good reaction on the back of that game. We feel we are in a good place to go out and have some fun at the weekend.

"We have the opportunity to take home the PRO14 trophy. It’s been a target all season. For me, it's just about going out there having some fun and doing my job for the team.

"It will be my last game for Glasgow but I'll worry about that after the game. Hopefully when we have a trophy in our hands".

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