Hogg pledged to the Falcons
Ally Hogg is the latest player to have pledged his future to the ambitious Newcastle Falcons after signing a new three-year deal with the club.
Hogg, 29, who has played 48 times for Scotland has become a firm fans favourite since arriving on Tyneside from Edinburgh in 2010.
“Semore Kurdi’s vision for the club excites me and that was a key factor in wanting to stay,” said Stirling-born Hogg.
He added: “The supporters are really good up here too and they have really driven this club forward. It has been a great feeling to play at Kingston Park in the last few weeks and the fans have been fantastic.
“They [supporters] can see how improved the performances have been of late and the club is certainly turning a corner.”
Hogg has featured prominently this campaign, pulling on the Falcons jersey 26 times as the northeasterners bid to secure their Aviva Premiership status.
And Director of Rugby Gary Gold has ignited a new found belief into his charges following his switch to Kingston Park in January.
Despite being eight points adrift of London Wasps at the foot of the Premiership table, Hogg insists there is still a lot of rugby to be played.
“The new coaches have changed things quite a bit and the next five games are crucial if we want to be playing Premiership rugby next season,” said Hogg who is gearing up for next week’s pivotal trip to Worcester Warriors.
“We have a massive opportunity to secure our Premiership status with Worcester away next week and then Sale Sharks at home.
“If we can get a good couple of results in those matches then we have an excellent chance of survival,” he added.
Hogg’s international experience could prove vital in the Falcons’ fight-back but the Scot was keen to play this down, saying: “Everyone just needs to knuckle down and be on the same hymn sheet – if we perform to the levels that we are capable of then we will be ok.”
Moving to Newcastle with his wife two years ago coupled with the birth of his daughter at the start of this season, Hogg admits the North East is the perfect place for his family to settle down.
He said: “The North East is a really nice place to live and I am settling down here with my family. I really enjoy living here and I am looking forward to the next three years.”
Falcons boss, Gold said: “Ally Hogg brings a lot of quality to the team and his experience from his time in the Scotland set-up is crucial.
“I am pleased that Ally has committed his future to the club for another three years.”
