Former Scotland international Rory Lawson says Stuart Hogg has shown his class by his reaction to losing the captaincy last year.
The 30-year-old full-back is set to win his 100th cap this Sunday when Scotland host Ireland at Murrayfield.
Hogg was appointed captain by Gregor Townsend before the 2020 Six Nations Championship, but his position as skipper came under scrutiny 12 months ago when he was one of six players disciplined by the head coach for a break of team protocols, following last year's Six Nations win against Italy.
Having missed Scotland's tour of Argentina in the summer, Hogg lost the captaincy to Jamie Ritchie for the Autumn Nations Series, with the flanker continuing in the role for the Six Nations.
The Exeter full-back has still started each of their three games in the championship this season, and while he hasn't produced moments of individual brilliance, Lawson believes he's been quietly efficient.
"Hoggy, there's not a person in the world who has a senior role who would be comfortable with being demoted. The way he’s dealt with it just shows the class of the guy," Lawson told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
And the former Scotland scrum-half says the three-time British and Irish Lion is too often judged on his appearance rather than his ability.
Bernard Jackman and Rory Lawson make their predictions for Scotland v Ireland
"He's misunderstood, I get really frustrated when people... the first thing they say about him is about the hairline and the new gnashers, but for me he’s a really experienced guy who loved nothing more than representing his country.
"He had a candid conversation with Gregor when he was told he wasn't going to captain the squad anymore, and he felt what he needed to focus on was getting the best out of himself, and stepping away from the leadership group as a whole to do that.
"Also, understanding his responsibility in driving standards and providing a point of reference for some of the younger players to be able to go to him and share experiences, and challenge. He’s a guy that has grown so much.
"I remember when he first came through the system, I was playing, he had massive swag to him, he was verging on the arrogance, because the self-belief he had. In a sad way, the external noise around him knocked a bit of that out of him. But he knows what he stands for and he knows why he’s in the Scotland squad and he knows where he adds value."
Lawson, who won 31 caps between Scotland between 2006 and 2010, added that the manner in which Hogg has bounced back from losing the captaincy is a true reflection on his character.
"It was a bump, there’s no doubt it was a hit to his ego, a hit to his confidence to lose the captaincy, but after a bit of time of reflection he’s able to stand up and say, 'You know what? I know where my value is, I know my value, and I have to focus my energy on being as good as I can be, and bringing others with me, even without that title’.
"He’s stepped up and shown his class."
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Bernard Jackman joined Lawson on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, and believes "there's a big game" in Hogg before the end of this Six Nations.
But the former Ireland hooker says Scotland's improvements in recent months have been greatly aided by the man-management of Townsend, who seems to have repaired his relationship with out-half Finn Russell.
"I've been really impressed [with Townsend]," he said.
"He didn't pick Finn in November, probably misread the room saying it was because of form, but injuries allowed Finn come back in and they repaired that [relationship], which is what really good coaches do, they show they’re fallible and admit they made an error.
"Maybe that was needed, to have the clear the air chat, which has led us to seem like there’s really good alignment between Gregor and Finn.
"I think they’ve found some really powerful athletes, their pack stood up really well to a monstrous French pack, some of their backs are as powerful as anyone in world rugby. They still want to be a team that plays fast and takes chances, and Finn Russell is key to that." Jackman added.
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