Exclusive:
A former girlfriend of rugby union star Stuart Hogg says the former Scottish player was removed from the national side because he abused alcohol, not because of an injury
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Jilly O’Donnell speaks about Stuart Hogg leaving Scotland team
Stuart Hogg’s boozy lifestyle was to blame for his departure from the Scotland squad, according to the secret lover who spent three years by his side.
In a shock announcement, the 32-year-old full-back had unexpectedly announced “with great sadness” his intention to retire from professional rugby in March 2023. He blamed his body for not being “able to do the things I wanted and needed it to do”.
But ex-girlfriend Jilly O’Donnell claims it was the former captain’s alcohol issues and womanising that saw him thrown off the squad. Jilly said: “Stuart called me during a riding weekend in Hawick. He had fallen off his horse and was drinking but he was in good spirits. I was in the gym and kept getting all these calls.
“In one call he said things were bad. He told me, ‘Something was really bad has happened. I just need some time.’ He never went back to training. He later made it out that he left because he hated it. It was not a planned leave, he didn’t leave over a sudden injury.
“He’d been in a bender, he kept saying people were spreading rumours. It’s my understanding he was thrown out of the team over his drinking and womanising. But they let him save face and say he left because his body couldn’t take it.”
In April the former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg revealed he has spent time in rehab after being “significantly affected” by online abuse and his personal issues being played out in public.
In a personal post on social media, he said: “Personal, private issues being played out in the public eye and online abuse are things that have impacted me significantly. I’ve not been able to deal with it. Online abuse is not okay.”
Jilly, who dated Hogg between 2020 and 2023, paints a picture of a man who has narcissistic tendencies and would manipulate those around him.
Hogg, who underwent procedures for a hair transplant in 2018 and Porcelain veneers in 2022, says he also hit out at online trolls despite carrying out a campaign of abuse himself.
Jilly claims Hogg said: “When he made a public statement about rehab, there was not one word of apology. It was all about him, it was about him being the victim.
“He would spend hours scrolling through social media to read the negative comments about his appearance. Even after a great game, he would still only concentrate on the bad stuff.
“I’d say, why do you care what Maureen from Manchester thinks of your hair?”
Asked about Hogg’s departure from the Scotland squad, a Scottish Rugby spokesperson said: “Stuart Hogg informed us he was retiring with immediate effect in 2023 citing the toll rugby had taken on his body.”
