Hogg: We want to lift the nation

Scotland travel to Twickenham for the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations against England a week on Saturday.

A fixture that is renowned for loud roars of the fans at both Twickenham and at BT Murrayfield, but for this 2021 fixture fans will be supporting from home.

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg said the Scotland players would be going into this year’s championship with the aim of lifting the mood of the country.

Hogg said: “I think the big thing for us is we want our fans to look at us and see a bit of themselves in us. By that I mean boys that are willing to go to dark places, work incredibly hard for each other and we are looking to lift a nation.

“It is a pretty bleak place for everyone at the moment but stay strong. We are here for you and hopefully over the next few weeks we can lift the nation.”

Gregor Townsend acknowledged the hard times for our fans during lockdown restrictions and hopes his players can give something back.

Townsend said: “Our people, our supporters are really behind the team which shows what the team are doing and the players inspire them.

“They love to see their country being represented and one form of doing that is through wearing that thistle and that jersey and putting their bodies on the line and putting huge effort into playing for their country.

“Just now it is a huge driver for us to give something back, everyone is struggling and no one more than here in Scotland. Winter is going to be tough and with lockdown it is really hard for our people.

“Our players and all of us here have a huge job to show we are doing this for them. What we are doing over the next few weeks is bigger than just playing a game of rugby.”