Stuart Hogg arrested again for ‘breach of bail’ as rugby return hangs in the balance

Former Scotland captain and full-back Stuart Hogg has been arrested for a second time this year and will appear in court today.

The 32-year-old was apprehended and charged at a property in Hawick for allegedly breaching his bail conditions and is due to appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court today.

Stuart Hogg arrested

This comes after Hogg was arrested in February after a Scotland Six Nations match at his estranged wife’s house for allegedly engaging in the course of conduct which caused fear and alarm.

He appeared in court in May, where he denied abusing and stalking his wife Gillian, and was charged under section one of the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act, which alleges he engaged in a course of behaviour which was “abusive”.

Hogg is set to stand trial on July 30 after he was granted bail, but Police Scotland confirmed today that he has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions.

“Around 2 pm on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, officers attended at an address in Hawick and a 32-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a breach of bail,” A Police Scotland spokesperson said.

“He is due to appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, July 3.”

Stuart Hogg ordered to stay away from estranged wife ahead of his trial

Hogg’s return to rugby and Montpellier’s signing

The Scottish full-back announced his retirement from rugby ahead of last year’s Rugby World Cup in France but has since made a U-turn on his decision.

He has signed a two-year deal, with an option of a third, at French Top 14 club Montpellier ahead of next season after reportedly fielding offers from Premiership outfit Newcastle Falcons and Japanese clubs.

That deal could hang in the balance depending on the outcome of his trial.

It is reported that he will take a massive pay cut from his most recent rugby contract with Exeter Chiefs, where he was believed to be earning a salary of around £580,000 a season.

Reports in France suggest that he will be taking home around £350,000.

Montpellier’s president, Mohed Altrad, confirmed that Hogg had signed a deal with this season’s Top 14 strugglers, who narrowly avoided relegation, but he was not listed among the club’s new signings ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Winger Madosh Tambwe has joined Montpellier on a two-year deal from Bordeaux, while Los Pumas fly-half Domingo Miotti has penned a two-year deal with an option of third.

Prop Wilfrid Hounkpatin has signed a three-year deal to join the club after being released by Castres after he was handed a suspended prison sentence for a domestic violence conviction.

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