Scotland's 23-17 loss to France yesterday featured further signs of progress after the defeats to England and Wales – not least from Hogg, who scored his first Test try on his maiden start after eight minutes.

The 19-year-old Glasgow Warriors full-back – the first teenager to score a try for Scotland since his Hawick mentor Jim Renwick 40 years ago – spoke with a maturity beyond his years in assessing the loss to the World Cup finalists which leaves Scotland on their worst run of results since 2004.

Hogg said: "We had our chances and you just need to take those chances at international level.

"Hopefully against Ireland we'll keep composed, keep calm and we'll get a good result.

"I need to work on my own game, basic skills, keep working hard and hopefully come selection time for the Ireland game my name will be on the team-sheet."

Barring injury, there would seem to be little doubt about that as Hogg is the sort of incisive runner and finisher Robinson needs in the final two matches of the tournament.

Hogg added: "We're bitterly disappointed. There were a lot of positives to take from that game.

"I think we lost the game, France didn't win it. We'd a lot of possession, a wee bit of territory and we had our chances.

"We just need to take our chances and we've just got to take these chances.

"It's coming and we're going in the right direction. Everything's looking good."