Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations after he picked up a pectoral muscle injury while training with Glasgow Warriors.
The 27-year-centre, who will undergo surgery, did not feature in Glasgow’s weekend Champions Cup loss to Harlequins, though he had been rested for the match anyway.
The upper body injury also casts doubt on Tuipulotu’s chances of touring Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer, though he is expected to return before the end of the domestic season.
Flanker Rory Darge, 24 and fly-half Finn Russell, 32, will captain Scotland in Tuipulotu’s absence.
Capped 30 times since 2021, Tuipulotu has scored three Scotland tries.
The Scots are also likely to be without lock Scott Cummings, 28, for the whole of the Six Nations after he came off against Harlequins with an arm fracture. Cummings’ injury will be further assessed.
Gregor Townsend’s side open the championship at home to Italy on 1 February.
Townsend will not be call up additional players to his squad as things stand.
