Monday 23 January 2017 16:09, UK
Stuart Hogg believes Scotland are ready to match Glasgow's progress in Europe after finally shaking off the fear factor.
The full-back is part of the Warriors team which qualified for the Champions Cup quarter-finals for the first time on Saturday, thrashing Leicester 43-0. It was another shot in the arm for the Scottish game, following Edinburgh's march into the knockout phase of the Challenge Cup.
Now Hogg claims the sense of intimidation which the Scots felt when taking on some of the world's top teams has been wiped out by their club feats and he is determined to see Vern Cotter's Dark Blues replicate that form, starting with their Six Nations opener at home to Ireland on February 4.
Asked if Scotland can take the same kind of forward strides as Glasgow have managed, he said: "I don't see why not. Finn Russell has been playing awesome at 10 for Glasgow, so if we can get outside him for Scotland, I think we'll be grand.
"I'm not going to lie, there was times in years gone by when we were scared about what was going to happen. But now we're confident about going down and getting the job done. We believe we have the playing staff, the structures and the coaching staff to get us victories.
"We will concentrate on Ireland first up and then after that we will look at the next opposition. We try to play a different way with Scotland than we do with Glasgow but here's hoping we can build up a good bit of form."
Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend - who takes over the national team from Cotter after the Six Nations - said his current side put on their best-ever display to beat the Tigers and set up a last-eight clash with reigning champions Saracens.
Now the challenge for Cotter is to reproduce the conditions which have helped Glasgow soar for his squad.
"If we can harness that feel-good factor the guys are enjoying at club level and replicate it here, we feel that definitely gives us a chance," said defence coach Matt Taylor, who works with both Glasgow and Scotland.
"The boys have come in with a spring in their step. They're really excited and full of confidence - and I'm sure that will translate into performances in the Six Nations. Of the whole squad, there are only four guys who aren't involved in Europe - and one of them is Huw Jones, who plays on a different continent.
"So they are really buoyant. It's been an excellent weekend for Scottish rugby. It's great but I think there's more improvement in us. We just need to keep our feet on the ground."
