Ireland have secured the win over Scotland in their Six Nations opener, but they certainly made hard work of it.
The Scots will leave Dublin thinking they have gotten something from the game and that is especially true when you consider the mistake from Stuart Hogg in the second half. The captain looked to be in for a crucial try in the 51st minute, only to drop the ball as he attempted to ground it.
Oh, Stuart Hogg. 😳😳😳
A howler of a drop right on the try line!#IREvSCO #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/Oi3V0xzHlF— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 1, 2020
Oh dear. #IREvSCO pic.twitter.com/nYuo07D7Pt
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 1, 2020
It proved to be a massive moment in the game, with Ireland ultimately running out as seven point winners. It was not something that was befitting of a player of Stuart Hogg's talents.
After the game, the Virgin Media panel of Ronan O'Gara, Matt Williams, and Shane Horgan were quick to criticise the player. They said it was a horrific mistake, with Williams even labelling Hogg as 'unprofessional'.
O'Gara: It's more than a silly error from Hogg I think. As a young kid you are taught to put the ball down with two hands, it's such a costly moment.
From a Scotland point of view, with that and Finn Russell they probably win the game...
Horgan: I wonder what Finn Rusell is thinking watching that at home, because apparently Hogg was one of the players who spoke to him while he was having a drink in the bar on Sunday night and said 'that's enough'. He didn't listen to him, and the result was that he wasn't playing.
This is an absolute horror show from Hogg, for your captain to do that. It is very difficult to go back into a changing room with credibility after that as well and lay down the law with the rest of the members of the team.
Williams: If my old Dad was around he would have chewed his arse off! You get the ball under your shoulder and you put your body on top of it.
We saw Jacob Stockdale do the same thing and it cost Ulster a spot in the semi-final last year. It's unforgivable for me. Why do it? You know what it is, it's unprofessional.
All those guys have done all the work, it's your job to carry it over. You tuck it under your wing and you hit the dirt.
