Rob Baxter has jumped to Stuart Hogg’s defence after his internal disciplining for a Scotland team rule transgression during the Six Nations.
“I think people are trying to make out there has been a clear breach of team rules – there’s not been,” said Baxter to the BBC.
“I think there was a little bit of ambiguity over what was supposed to happen when he got back to the hotel. That ambiguity was cleared up with a phone call asking the guys to come back.
“It was one of those things, sometimes it can happen, but it all got cleared up very quickly, almost within minutes of the incident.
“It’s not like anyone’s gone out and got drunk and got into a fight, or come back at six o’clock in the morning or missed training.
“So I can probably understand why the Scottish people involved are a little frustrated that this has been a big issue, because it clearly hasn’t been.”
Hogg said he had apologised for the trip to the bar and that it would be “something that will hurt me for a long, long time”.
“As leader of this side I’m bitterly disappointed with what happened,” he said. “I’m annoyed, I’m frustrated but I can’t go back and change anything so the longer you dwell on it…if that’s what you’re after here you’re not going to get it.”
Gregor Townsend did not give an unequivocal endorsement on whether Hogg would continue as skipper.
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5 England players who won’t be going to Australia – and who will replace them
#1. George Ford
Replacement: Owen Farrell
Initially left out and relatively unused during the 2022 Six Nations, it appears that the international career of the Leicester Tigers fly-half is all but over. England captain Farrell will likely take his place in the squad for the three-match series against the Wallabies though he may line-up at 12 with Marcus Smith retaining the fly-half position.
