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• Scotland and Exeter full-back Hogg to retire after Rugby World Cup

  Scotland and Exeter full-back Stuart Hogg has announced he intends to retire after this year's Rugby World Cup.

  The 30-year-old this month became only the fourth player to reach a century of appearances for Scotland after Ross Ford, Chris Paterson and Sean Lamont.

  But Hogg, who also leads the way for the most tries scored by a Scotland player (27), will hang up his boots after competing in France later this year.

  "After RWC2023, my professional rugby journey will end and I will be retiring from the game," Hogg said in a statement posted on his personal Instagram account.

  "As a young kid growing up in The Borders, all I wanted to do was to play rugby for Scotland. 

  "I feel privileged to have represented my country on 100 occasions, play on 3 British & Irish Lions tours and represent some amazing clubs. I couldn't have asked for any more.

  "Rugby has allowed me to meet some incredible characters, make lifelong friends, travel the world and be part of some unbelievable experiences that I will cherish forever."

  As well as representing Scotland since 2012 and featuring on three British and Irish Lions tours, Hogg also spent nearly a decade with Glasgow Warriors before joining Exeter.

  Explaining the reason behind his shock retirement call, Hogg's statement added: "I don't feel my body can achieve the standards that I set myself for much longer.

  "I've always wanted to finish at the top end of the game. A new career beckons and I will attack it in the same manner as I play the game. I hope I have done you proud."

  Hogg signed off his statement with the words "100 not out (just yet)" in reference to the caps milestone he recently reached with Scotland.

  He won the European Champions Cup and Premiership with Exeter in the 2019-20 season, following Pro12 success with Glasgow in 2014-15.

  The Melrose native was also named Six Nations Player of the Tournament in 2016 and 2017.

  Should he be selected as expected, Hogg will feature in his third World Cup, having played eight times across the past two tournaments.

• Deschamps backs Mbappe for more records as France prepare for Ferguson challenge

  Didier Deschamps expects Kylian Mbappe to continue breaking France records but knows a Republic of Ireland generation inspired by teenage talisman Evan Ferguson pose a threat.

  Les Bleus thrashed the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier and will be confident of claiming another three points in Dublin on Monday.

  New captain Mbappe hit a double against the Dutch, taking him to 38 international goals and fifth on France's all-time scoring charts – just three shy of the great Michel Platini (41).

  Mbappe has scored half of those in his last 16 outings, as many as in his first 51 games, Deschamps suggests there is no limit for the 24-year-old.

  "It's Kylian, he's full of ambitions. When he reaches one, he has another to reach," Deschamps said at a press conference.

  "He reached and exceeded quite a few very early on. He has that in him. He has a driving role compared to the whole group.

  "He will do everything to get there, he will need the others, but it's Kylian."

  France have won their last four qualifying matches, for both the World Cup and Euros, by an aggregate score of 16-0.

  Les Bleus have not managed five qualifying victories without conceding since doing so between November 1981 and December 1984, but they face an Ireland side buoyed by a young prospect of their own.

  Ferguson scored on his first international start in a 3-2 win over Latvia and could become the first Ireland player to net in consecutive appearances before turning 19.

  The Brighton and Hove Albion striker has been a hot topic of discussion, with Deschamps acknowledging the danger the 18-year-old might offer.

  "It goes back to [Euro] 2016. I remember that we were trailing 1-0 [in the round of 16 before winning 2-1] and that it was complicated," Deschamps said.

  "But there is a new generation with Ferguson. It is always very difficult to compare."

  Ireland have lost just three of their last 30 Euros qualifying games (W14 D13) and are unbeaten in their last 14 on home soil (W8 D6), including play-off fixtures.

  That strong home form is a factor Deschamps knows France must deal with.

  He continued: "They are a technical team. From what I have seen, they use less direct play and long balls. It will be a different game, with the crowd pushing as well.

  "It's a high level and it's up to us to do no less."

• Mbappe eyes Platini mark for France as captain revels in 'carefree' generation

  Kylian Mbappe hailed the "carefree" mindset of the new France generation as the forward eyes surpassing Michel Platini on Les Bleus' all-time scoring charts.

  The Paris Saint-German superstar scored twice in his first game as France captain as Didier Deschamps' side hammered the Netherlands 4-0 to kickstart their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Friday.

  That double took the 24-year-old striker to 38 goals in 67 appearances for his country, just three international strikes short of Platini, who sits fourth in France's leading scorers chart.

  Antoine Griezmann (43), Thierry Henry (51) and Olivier Giroud (53) are the only three to manage more and Mbappe is out to catch Platini when Deschamps' men visit the Republic of Ireland on Monday.

  He said at Sunday's pre-match press conference: "It's an honour but it's also the next target to beat.

  "Platini remains a legend of French football but I want to continue my journey and it goes through Michel Platini."

  France fell agonisingly short at the World Cup in Qatar, losing on penalties to Argentina in the final, but the future appears incredibly bright for Les Bleus.

  Deschamps has the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Edouard Camavinga in midfield, while Randal Kolo Muani provides support for Mbappe up top.

  Centre-back pairing Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano are yet to reach their 25th birthdays and Mbappe says he is relishing leading a youthful France.

  "I don't know all the generations. This one is carefree," he added. "We always have this desire to show that we can do good things.

  "This team can aim for the heights. In adversity, we will see other things. We had a first match that we made easy. We will see in due time.

  "Maybe there will be more difficult moments and I hope that we can overcome them."

  As for the captaincy, Mbappe suggested little has changed despite taking the armband from the retired Hugo Lloris.

  He continued: "I was the same, I naturally played my new role. There was not much to say in relation to the team's performance. I'm not going to talk just to talk.

  "I was the link between the two generations but there were no differences during the week. The group is doing very well, I did not have to intervene. The less work I have, the better for everyone.

  "We must not get carried away and we have started qualifying well. Tomorrow's match will be more complicated than what people may think."