The last time they were on the pitch together was in a Scotland jersey at the Rugby World Cup in Japan twelve months ago. This weekend they both return to the field – but in opposing jerseys.

Saturday’s Heineken Champions Cup Final sees two of the best teams in world rugby battle it out for Europe’s elite trophy at Ashton Gate as Exeter Chiefs take on Racing 92. (Saturday 17 October, kick off 4.45pm, live on BT Sport and Channel 4). Exeter will be making their first final appearance while Racing have previously finished runners-up twice.

So far this season Stuart Hogg
has gained 999 metres in the Premiership for Exeter Chiefs, with only the
Fijian star Semi Radradra and former All Black Charles Piutau (both Bristol
Bears) averaging more per 80 minutes than the fullback. Finn Russell meanwhile
will be up against the exciting England prospect Joe Simmonds in the battle of
the stand-offs, with Russell outstripping his rival when it comes to metres
made this season: 252 to Simmonds’ 66.

999 – @StuartWHOGG_ has gained 999 metres in @premrugby this season, only Semi Radradra (110) & @CPiutau (103) have averaged more per 80 minutes than the @ExeterChiefs fullback (86, players with 200+ mins). Emergency.

??? pic.twitter.com/ufqFLzTqGY

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) October 13, 2020

Could this be the battle that decides which way the #HeinekenChampionsCup goes? ?

We'll have two sublime 10s on show as @ExeterChiefs take on @racing92 in the final on Saturday evening ?

Will @joesimmo10 or @finn_russell come out on top? ? pic.twitter.com/y0U3leN9bo

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) October 13, 2020

Hogg’s Exeter Chiefs teammates Sam Skinner and Jonny Gray
have also been named in Townsend’s Scotland squad (see the squad here) and scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is named on the bench for the showpiece event. The
final Scottish interest in Saturday’s encounter will be running the
lines, with Scotland’s Mike Adamson one of the Assistant Referees.

Still time to vote

Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg are both named in the final 5 shortlist for the EPCR European Player of the Year Award which will also be announced on Saturday. You can still vote for this online, click here.

Less than a week left to vote for your #EPOTY2020 ?

2️⃣ @ExeterChiefs, 2️⃣ @racing92 stars and a @BristolBears banger – who are you picking?

Make your choice here ? https://t.co/2EVQfGMb8i pic.twitter.com/uZgDTCjYuq

— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) October 12, 2020