Scotland’s preparations have been dealt a twin blow as Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out for the whole Guinness Six Nations Championship, and Scott Cummings is also probably going to miss the competition.
Last week, Tuipulotu, the captain of Scotland, injured his pectoral muscle during Glasgow Warriors training. On Saturday night, Cummings suffered a fractured arm during Glasgow’s defeat over Harlequins.
In Tuipulotu’s absence, Rory Darge and Finn Russell will take over as co-captains for the Six Nations. The pair performed the role last season and were initially named as vice-captains for this year’s championship.
Tuipulotu’s injury is serious enough to require surgery while Cummings fracture is still being assessed.
No new players have been called into the squad at this stage. Scotland open their campaign against Italy at Murrayfield a week on Saturday, then host Ireland in Edinburgh on February 9 before playing England at Twickenham on February 22, Wales at home on March 8 and France in Paris on March 15.
A statement from Scottish Rugby said: “Sione Tuipulotu will miss the tournament after sustaining a pectoral muscle injury during a training session with Glasgow Warriors last week.
Sione will undergo surgery this week and is expected to return to action before the end of the season.
Scott Cummings sustained an arm fracture at the weekend. He is also likely to miss the tournament and will undergo further review to determine when he will be fit to return.
“There will be no additions to the squad at this point.”
