Blair Kinghorn's moment to shine has arrived, backed by former Scotland captain Andy Nicol, as he aims to step out of the shadow of rugby legend Stuart Hogg and make a name for himself at the Rugby World Cup.
With the tournament in France on the horizon, Kinghorn, the Edinburgh Rugby back, is set to achieve a remarkable half-century of caps for Scotland. However, throughout his international career, he has often found himself playing second fiddle to Hogg, widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the ontario betting sites modern game.
But the tides have turned with Hogg's recent announcement of immediate retirement, placing Kinghorn in pole position to secure the coveted number 15 jersey for Scotland's challenging World Cup campaign. Drawn alongside formidable opponents South Africa and Ireland in the group stages, Scotland faces an uphill battle.
Ahead of the World Cup, Scotland's next two games are against France, and Head Coach Gregor Townsend has hinted at fielding his strongest team for these crucial encounters. After a 25-13 win over Italy in which the squad was heavily rotated, it is widely anticipated that Kinghorn will be the go-to choice at full-back.
Finn Russell, Kinghorn's teammate, has showered praise on him for their productive training sessions, where they adapt to a different attacking approach in the absence of Hogg.
Former Scotland scrumhalf Nicol is also a staunch supporter of Kinghorn. As a respected rugby pundit and former BBC commentator, Nicol acknowledges the significant task ahead for Kinghorn but exudes confidence that the talented back will flourish in the absence of Hogg.
Nicol expressed admiration for Hogg's contributions to Scottish rugby, hailing him as a creative genius and a rock at the back. With Hogg's retirement, the ambiguity over Kinghorn's position is removed, allowing him to focus solely on the full-back role. Nicol appreciates Ollie Smith's abilities as well, but he believes Kinghorn's potential impact at full-back is immense, especially with the right creative support around him.
Kinghorn has already displayed his attacking prowess during his Scotland career, notably securing two hat-tricks against Italy in 2019 and earlier this year, captivating supporters with his skill on the international stage.
Now, with the confidence of potentially becoming Scotland's full-time number 15, Nicol foresees Kinghorn taking his game to the next level. The shadow of Hogg, which loomed large, has been lifted, and Kinghorn can fully embrace the challenge of making the position his own.
Nicol envisions a transformed mindset in Kinghorn, where he is driven to prove his worth and make an impact on the field. The prospect excites Nicol, who firmly believes that Kinghorn is a class act capable of stepping into the iconic shoes left by Hogg's retirement.
As Scotland prepares for the Rugby World Cup, all eyes are on Blair Kinghorn as he seeks to rise above the shadow of his predecessor and establish himself as a key player on the international stage.
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