Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is reportedly set to return to rugby, a year after announcing his retirement.
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Montpellier confirmed the signing of Hogg last week after, club president Mohed Altrad confirmed the deal during a press briefing on June 18 regarding next season’s coaching arrangements.
The 32-year-old full-back has signed a two-year contract with an option for an additional year, potentially extending his career past his 35th birthday, according to Altrad.
When questioned about the length of Hogg's contract, Altrad said, "I think it’s three years – two years, plus one, it seems to me."
Should the move materialize, Montpellier will be Hogg’s third senior club, following his tenures with Glasgow Warriors (2010-2019) and Exeter Chiefs (2019-2023), along with earlier stints at Ayr, Stirling County, Heriot’s, and Hawick.
Hogg's former Glasgow and Scotland head coach, Gregor Townsend, has expressed support for Hogg’s decision to retire, stating, "He was obviously a fantastic rugby player who was in our World Cup training squad before he decided to retire.
"If he does come back, we wish him all the best."
“Ego off the scale” – Joe Marler reveals four players he can’t stand
England prop Joe Marler is never afraid of sharing an opinion or two - especially when it's about someone he doesn't particularly like.
#1. Gavin Henson
These two have history. Henson was ruled out for a number of weeks in 2016 after Marler clattered the Welsh Prince off the ball.
The England prop was returning to rugby after a troubled 2015-16 season, that prompted the loosehead to take a break from the game in the summer missing England's historic 3-0 whitewash of the Wallabies Down Under.
A story from Marler's book shows the ego of Henson in 2005 was off the scale. Being told to hurry up with his hair by his captain Gareth Thomas, the playmaker showed his skipper little respect.H
enson's reply to Thomas was: "Alf, your mother and father have come to watch you play today, but there are 72,000 out there who have come to watch me."
#2. Sir Clive Woodward
Woodward tore apart Eddie Jones' side during a webinar, slamming Marler and fellow prop Dan Cole for their behaviour in a press conference prior to the loss against South Africa back in November. This wasn't the first time the 2003 World Cup-winning coach called out the prop.
After reading an article on the Rugby Pass website highlighting Woodward's comments, he tweeted him directly, saying: "Change the record Sir Clive - you should be grateful you can 'milk the cow' for another 3 years."
#3. Israel Folau
Over 1,000 days since Folau last played a professional match of rugby union, Marler's old Twitter sparring partner made his return to the sport over the weekend.
The loose-head prop takes any chance he can to call out the former Wallabies fullback, who could soon represent Tonga, for his homophobic views.
In a series of tweets sent directly to Folau, Marler attached pictures and GIFs of men kissing, in a display of defiant humour which was praised by fellow players and LGBTQ fans alike.
Marler later named Folau in his dream team in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.
On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, "On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I'd take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster... a couple of clubs."
#4. Marland Yarde
The winger dramatically left Harlequins in 2017 to join Premiership rivals Sale Sharks in an unusual mid-season move.
Marler said: “I hadn’t spoken to the bloke in 18 months,
“I’d lost the plot with him a good while ago. And let him be, let him do his own thing, because I’d given up on it
“He’d made the decision that he wanted to leave…you know, all the best to him. I wish him all the best. I don’t wish nastiness upon anyone.
“He’s one of those to just leave, as he won’t change in my mind. Me and him just don’t get on.”
