EXETER rugby director Rob Baxter believes that Stuart Hogg is on course to recover in time for the Six Nations.

Hogg has missed Exeter’s last three games, including a Heineken Champions Cup appointment with the Bulls in South Africa last weekend, due to a heel injury.

Scotland’s opening fixture is against England at Twickenham on February 4, before Wales travel to Murrayfield seven days later.

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Full-back Hogg, who has won 96 caps, is comfortably the most experienced player named by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend in his Six Nations squad.

“The heel is improving,” Baxter said.

“We gave him until the Saturday before we flew (to South Africa). He still couldn’t run with pace or any distance.

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“It is an improving picture, but he is still not training.

“It is not like a significant ligament or cartilage (problem) or something like that, so there is an expectation he will come through this in time for the Six Nations.”