Six Nations
Lancaster: We respect Scotland
Tom Hamilton
March 9, 2015
Stuart Lancaster: 'We have a healthy regard for their team' © Getty Images
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Stuart Lancaster says his England side have a "healthy regard" for Scotland in the wake of Stuart Hogg's comments where he accused their rivals of having a lack of respect for his national side.

Hogg said England "don't really respect us [Scotland]" and says they are "pretty much all about themselves". Hogg's comments stoked the Calcutta Cup rivalry fires ahead of the weekend's match between the old rivals at Twickenham.

Lancaster has never lost to Scotland during his tenure as England coach but said he was full of respect for Vern Cotter's side. He pointed to Glasgow's impressive domestic form as reason for England to be wary of their opponents come Saturday and said they have a "healthy regard" for Scotland.

"I did read his comments - I think he was referencing some club games," Lancaster said of Hogg's views on the England-Scotland rivalry. "Certainly from my point of view, one of the best performances I have seen all season was the Glasgow performance against Bath.

"You don't get a team who are top of the PRO12 by accident so they've clearly got a lot of good players in their team. A lot of those Glasgow players are playing for Scotland. Having represented Scotland [at Under-19 and Under-21 level], I have plenty of respect for the players and what they have achieved."

Lancaster added: "I can't control what other people say. From my point of view, we have a healthy regard for their team, their players and their coaching team. Vern Cotter has a tremendous track record and from what I've seen in the autumn internationals and in these games, he's been excellent."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
Tom Hamilton is the Associate Editor of ESPNscrum.

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