Stuart Hogg exclusive: Rivals must 'up their game' to stop La Rochelle in Champions Cup, previews Gallagher Premiership
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Published 17/08/2023 at 10:58 GMT
"Somebody’s going to have to up their game to try and topple" La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup and prevent the French giants from winning the trophy for a third consecutive year, says Stuart Hogg. The TNT Sports expert also previewed the Gallagher Premiership and couldn't contain his excitement about 'derby weekend', while he also picked out some key players to watch out for this season.
'Somebody's going to have to up their game' - Hogg believes La Rochelle remain team to beat
Stuart Hogg has challenged La Rochelle’s rivals to “up their game” to prevent the French giants from winning a third consecutive Heineken Champions Cup.
La Rochelle retained the trophy in May after staging a fantastic comeback to beat Leinster 27-26 in a pulsating final at a sold-out Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Speaking to Ugo Monye on TNT Sports, Hogg - who announced his retirement from the sport earlier this year - said La Rochelle would be achieving “something pretty special” if they were to win the cup for the third year in a row.
Hogg said: “We played against them, for Exeter, in the quarter-finals (editor's note: the two teams met in the semi-finals) last season in Bordeaux and they were just incredible, absolutely incredible.
“They’ve got physicality, they’ve got skill, they’ve got pace, they’ve got everything you want.
“I genuinely thought Leinster would be too good when it came to the final. They’ve got the experience of playing in big finals, they’re going for the fifth star, and I thought maybe they would be able to knock them over but… no.
“Somebody’s going to have to up their game to try and topple them over. But again, you’ve got the best teams in Europe battling it out in the Champions Cup and you can’t put your finger on somebody who’s going to win it, can you?
“If they go three years in a row that would be something pretty special.”
Meanwhile, previewing this season’s Gallagher Premiership – which begins on Friday, October 13 with Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers live from Ashton Gate – Hogg is relishing what's to come.
He is particularly looking forward to the brand new and highly-anticipated ‘derby weekend’ which will comprise of local rivalries over the weekend of November 17-19.
“It’s going to be unbelievable,” said Hogg.
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'Extra special, hugely exciting' - Hogg pumped for Premiership 'Derby Weekend'
“Exeter v Gloucester, Bristol v Bath – this is exactly what you’re after. You often come across derbies at different times of the year but to have them all on the same weekend is going to be extra special and it’s hugely exciting.
“We’re not just going to be talking about the one game, it’s going to be like five different games that are going to be happening at the same time, and it’s all local derbies. It’s different, exciting… yeah, bring it on!”
Hogg was asked to name the players he is most looking forward to watching this season, and it’s no surprise he mentioned Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins.
“He’s got a few caps under his belt with Wales. He had a couple of injuries last year, but he’s a massive specimen and works really hard,” explained Hogg.
“I’m excited to see how good he can be this season.”
Continuing, Hogg said: “Tom Pearson leaving London Irish and going to Northampton, young player of the season last year, he’s at a different club, different challenges for him. An unbelievable talent.
“Fin Smith at Northampton as well. A young guy coming through, he had a few games for the first team last season and he’s going to be quality this year because he’s going to be up against the best.
“As a young kid playing against the best of the best in the same position, he’s going to learn massively this year. So, his game is going to go up.
“And then obviously you’ve got to talk about Finn Russell, don’t you?
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The 'massive specimen' and 'best 10 in world rugby' among Hogg's Premiership 'Players to Watch'
“He’s coming with a huge weight on his shoulders to make sure he gets this Bath team performing, but he’s up for the challenge. On his day he’s the best 10 in world rugby. That’s incredible for Bath.
"There’s going to be some quality players and teams this season and I’m hugely excited for it.”
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TNT Sports will show every match from the Heineken Champions Cup as well as matches from the Gallagher Premiership Rugby, EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup in the 2023-24 season.
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