It is not the first time the combative Hogg has been on the sidelines as he paid the price for putting his body on the line time and again.

The previous season Hogg started every one of Edinburgh’s matches but the 48-cap Scotland international maintains he is not prepared to slow down.

He said: “Injuries are the price you pay for playing rugby these days. No rugby player goes through a season without an injury of some sorts these days.

“I have spent a bit of time on the sidelines but I am not complaining, that is just part and parcel of the game these days.

“If you start thinking about what it is going to do to your body in the long run then I am fairly sure no one would be playing the game.

“For me personally the last year has been very frustrating. I thought I was playing very well and it was not a bad injury but it just gradually got worse.

“The operation is just one of those things that had to be done. I was able to play but then I could not train for four to five days afterwards.

“I had to make a decision to get fit for the start of this season as opposed to waiting until the summer and then not being back until midway through the season.

“In some ways it is quite good to have a break from the game. It allows you to sit back and look what you want to achieve.”