Warriors' Hogg enjoying positive start to season

The 22-year-old full-back began the last campaign off the back of a victorious British & Irish Lions tour.

However niggling injuries and loss of form coupled with the rise of teammate Peter Murchie meant the Scot found himself down the pecking order.

Murchie was preferred in both the semi-final and the final of the PRO12 last term as Warriors fell just short of lifting the trophy, losing out to Leinster 34-12.

While Murchie started the new season at 15, Hogg has since reclaimed the full-back slot, starting the last three GUINNESS PRO12 games, and scoring two tries in their 39-21 win over Connacht.

And buoyed by a summer which saw him represent Scotland in both the XV format before taking part in the sevens competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Hogg insists he has emerged a stronger player.

"It was great to get the try against the USA and follow that up with a decent game against Canada and another try against Argentina and then the whole experience with the Scotland Sevens at Ibrox was a real buzz and gave me a new lease of life," Hogg told the Scotsman.

"Peter Murchie is so solid under the high ball, he makes some great runs and he was playing out of his skin at the end of last season and he deserved it.

"The flip side of that was my attitude was not good, I was struggling to get into the side on form and I was disappointed with myself.

"On the other hand Murchie was playing the rugby of his life and when that happens sometimes you just have to say that the other guy deserves it more. But I believe I learned from all of that and I'm the better for it."

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