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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.

• Maddison delighted by 'second debut' for England after World Cup woes

  James Maddison was delighted to earn his "second debut" with England after facing difficulties during the World Cup in Qatar.

  The Leicester City midfielder's second cap for the Three Lions came three and a half years after his international debut, with opportunities not forthcoming in that spell as he faced immense competition for a berth in the side.

  Maddison shone in his display against Ukraine at Wembley, creating five chances – the most of any player in their first game for England since Theo Walcott created six against Andorra in September 2008.

  With his England debut feeling like "a lifetime ago", Maddison enjoyed his second coming into the national side.

  "It felt great. I said in there it almost felt like a second debut. Like it doesn't really work. But it's been that long," he told reporters.

  "It feels a lifetime ago, since that Montenegro again. So almost felt like a secondary it felt really good out there.

  "It's so refreshing to be out there with the lads and, in a strong team and a big game. So, I really enjoyed it."

  Maddison's hopes of featuring for England at the World Cup in Qatar suffered a serious blow after picking up an injury ahead of the tournament, leaving him battling for fitness in his bid to play.

  No minutes in the tournament came for the Leicester City man, who detailed the struggles he endured during England's campaign.

  "I felt there were a lot of lows, and there's a lot of sad, sad faces when I was in my room by myself," he explained.

  "Just thinking 'why now this little injury why? Why in the West Ham game did I get that just before the World Cup', after I've worked so hard to get to the position where it felt everyone was clamouring for me to be in the squad.

  "And I've worked so hard and my performances were really good. And so there were tough times in the room in Qatar, FaceTiming home, just sad, but it was almost like a battle with myself to say, 'don't take this for granted'.

  "I might not be able to shake this injury off, but it will leave me in good stead if I show Gareth, and show the people who are questioning my personality off the fields that or whatever that is, that's all rubbish and that I can be a good person.

  "We have such a good group and I get on so well with the lads and the staff, and it's what you see from the outside is exactly how it is.

  "The togetherness and the fun nature of the energy around the camp. So, I hoped stuff like that would leave me in good stead."

• Chilwell and Zinchenko marvel at Saka: 'I can't believe he played left-back!'

  Bukayo Saka "brings happiness to everyone else" in the England camp, according to Ben Chilwell, who joined Oleksandr Zinchenko in lauding Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifying match-winner.

  Saka has enjoyed an outstanding season for Arsenal, playing alongside Zinchenko, with 12 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League as the Gunners bid for a first title in 19 years.

  Only Erling Haaland (33) and Harry Kane (23) can top the winger's 22 goal involvements in the competition.

  And Saka has continued that form on the international stage with England, most recently in a 2-0 win over Zinchenko's Ukraine at Wembley.

  The 21-year-old produced a sublime cross for Kane's opener, then quickly went one better with a sensational long-range strike. He has 10 goal involvements in his past 16 games for England.

  Like Chilwell and Zinchenko, Saka was previously used as a left-back when he broke through at Arsenal, prompting some bemusement from his England team-mate.

  "I can't believe he played at left back when he can do that," Chilwell said. "He's such a great talent.

  "I think everyone can see what he gives on the pitch, but he's one of the best people I've met in football as well.

  "We see him on a daily basis around the camp, and he just brings happiness to everyone else. He's always smiling. He's a good guy to be around.

  "And then he comes out on the pitch and delivers like that for us – an assist and a goal and ultimately wins the game. So, I'm delighted for him."

  Zinchenko, used in a midfield role at international level while poor Vitalii Mykolenko suffered up against Saka, added: "He's an amazing player. We knew that.

  "He's on fire at the moment, and I wish him that to the end of the season.

  "I said already that there are no friends on the pitch; unfortunately, he beat me today, but I will take revenge."