Stuart Hogg allergic to lion mascot

As the youngest member of the British and Irish Lions squad, Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg has taken on the traditional role of looking after the tour mascot.

There's one problem though: he's allergic to it.

Hogg, 20, suffers from hay fever and says carrying cuddly toy lion 'Bil' - who was picked up at Geneva airport and has his own passport - is not helping.

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Unhappy couple: Hogg says looking after the lion is worsening his hayfever

Paws for thought: 'Bil' has his own passport

He said: 'Hay fever is a nightmare. It always comes in the summer. My eyes start to puff up and holding that lion is a bit of a nightmare: with its long mane it’s a bit itchy.

'I’ll maybe speak to the gaffer and see what he says about that.'

With seven weeks of touring ahead as Warren Gatland's side take on Australia in a three-Test series, Hogg admits he is rather daunted by the prospect of looking after the lion for the duration.

Star of the future: Hogg burst onto the scene during the Six Nations

Raring to go: The Scot will compete with Leigh Halfpenny and Rob Kearney for a starting place

He added: 'That is a bit of a nightmare! But being the youngest it’s the tradition to take it.

'I was speaking to Leigh Halfpenny about this last week. He was (youngest) on the last tour and he said the lion was pretty small, whereas this time it’s massive!

'When you’re packing your bag for training, you’ve got your boots, your shorts, your gum-shield, etc. I have to bring the lion as well, and I’m pretty concerned I’m going to forget my boots someday. I’d rather forget the lion to be fair. 

Forgetful: Hogg fears he will lose the lion and be fined

'It’s a big responsibility and sometimes I struggle to look after myself. To look after something else, it’s going to be tough. It’s been to training a couple of times and it’s already been hidden. It is less than ideal.'

But with the threat of a fine hanging over him if he ditches the lion, Hogg is wary of passing on the responsibility: 'I’ve thought about it but there is a fining system and I don’t want to be out of pocket at the end of the day.'