Hogg to lead Scots for Six Nations rugby

Stuart Hogg has been appointed captain for the Six Nations, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

The Exeter fullback takes over from Stuart McInally, who had led the team during last year's disappointing World Cup campaign in Japan.

With 71 caps, the two-time British and Irish Lion is the most-experienced player in the 38-man squad, named by Gregor Townsend for this year's championship, which starts for Scotland on February 1 with a trip to Dublin.

McInally was given the armband ahead of former skippers Greig Laidlaw and John Barclay as the team flew out to Japan.

But the Edinburgh hooker had a disappointing tournament and was left out of the starting line-up as the Dark Blues' hopes of reaching the quarter-finals evaporated with defeat to the hosts in their final pool match.

Laidlaw and Barclay have since announced their retirements from international action.

Townsend has decided it is time for Hogg to take over, as one of only two genuinely world-class operators in his squad with Finn Russell.