Hogg reflects on 2017 disappointment

British & Irish Lions captain for Saturday, Stuart Hogg, recently opened up regarding the hardship he experienced after having his 2017 Lions tour cut short. 

Hogg was sent home after a collision with Conor Murray left the former with a fractured face, effectively stamping his ticket for an early flight home. 

"It's something I've kept quiet about and almost to myself for a long time," he said. 

"I had been playing some good rugby and to have that taken away from me was certainly disappointing. 

"It probably took me a good year-and-a-half, two years to get over it and get back and running and to get excited about playing rugby. 

"I kept it to myself, but my focus all along was to make sure to give myself every opportunity to represent the Lions again. Now that I am here, I am making the most of it." 

Hogg has recently been in isolation as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak in the squad – an experience which, by his account, was not a pleasant one. 

“It’s a long old time to be hidden away. Getting my routine sorted and making sure I was as productive as I possibly could passed the time a lot quicker. It was challenging at times. We had a mini-isolation group and had a good bit of craic along the way and kept each other going. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. Honestly, it was a horrendous few days but I am delighted to be back. 

“It became a little bit easier once the boys and everybody in the touring party left (Johannesburg). We got a little bit of time to spend in the gym and managed to sanitise it about a million times when we were in there. I got a chance to do everything I possibly could. I was carrying a little knock after a training session but I’m all good now and excited to get going again.” 

The Lions face the Stormers on Saturday in their match before the test series begins.