I’m gutted and so sorry says Stuart

SCOTLANDcaptain Stuart Hogg says he's “gutted” about the mistake which cost his side a try against Ireland and apologised to his team-mates for his “schoolboy error”.

Exeter full-back Hogg spilled the ball over the try line under no pressure.

“I can't change what happened. I just need to get on with it”, Hogg said.

“I apologised to the boys. We got ourselves into a good position after the forwards' good work and I'm bitterly disappointed I couldn't finish it off.” Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said Hogg was “outstanding” during the game and should “flush” the error and move on.

“Stuart was probably excited for scoring the try and it's not like him”, Townsend said. “We had a number of other occasions close to the try line – whether it was the ball-carrier presenting the ball better, 50-50 decisions from the referee that didn't go our way, or ourselves not getting speed to contact. They were as important as that incident.

“Stuart should flush that and move on because he was outstanding today and has been a very good leader the last two weeks.” Townsend singled out Edinburgh prop Rory Sutherland, who impressed on his first Test appearance since 2016, and debutant No.8 Nick Haining, for praise after dynamic shifts.

“For Rory to be out of Test rugby for nearly four years, to not have played many Edinburgh games this year, and play with that technical ability and attitude around the scrum was brilliant to see”, he said.

“And I'm really proud of Nick's performance, he was one of the best players on the field.” New Ireland coach Andy Farrell said he was “very happy” with his team.

“There's always going to be things to work on, things that we are trying to implement are going to take time.

“It's a start. We asked the players all week to make sure they stand for something and boy did they stand for a bit of grit.

“They were under pressure in the first half on their own line quite a few times and then you culminate that with what the last five minutes said about the team. I think it's there for all to see really.” Caelan Doris was said to be “doing fine” following his clash of heads.