Stuart Hogg's anticipated return to rugby has hit a minor road block, as reports from France indicate that an injury will prevent him from starting the 2024/25 season with Montpellier.

The former Scotland captain announced in July his decision to come out of retirement and signed a medical joker contract to join the French Top 14 side.

This announcement came just a year after he had initially accelerated his retirement plans. In early 2023, Hogg indicated he would conclude his playing career at the Rugby World Cup. However, he made the surprising decision to retire earlier in July 2023, citing a decline in his training performance with the national team.

Following his retirement, Hogg quickly transitioned to a role as a TV pundit with TNT Sports and the BBC. Yet, he later reconsidered his decision and rejoined the playing ranks.

Just four weeks ago, he began pre-season training with Montpellier, who had narrowly avoided relegation after a challenging 2023/24 season that required a playoff victory against Grenoble.

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Unfortunately, Montpellier will now start their new season without Hogg, who is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks due to a torn calf sustained during training.

According to L’Equipe, "Stuart Hogg will miss the start of the season with Montpellier. The 32-year-old full-back, who had retired a year prior to the World Cup, was injured with a torn calf during a training session after showing promising recovery signs since the team returned to training on July 17."

The report further noted that the average recovery time for such an injury is at least six weeks, meaning Hogg will miss the opening match against Lyon on September 7.

He had joined Montpellier as a medical joker for Anthony Bouthier, who is recovering from a serious knee injury and is not expected to return until early 2025.

(Image: SNS)