Sports
Scotland captain Tuipulotu ruled out of Six Nations
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations because of the pectoral muscle injury he picked up while training with Glasgow Warriors.
The 27-year-old, one of the game’s most highly rated centres, will have surgery to repair the issue.
The injury also casts doubt on Tuipulotu’s chances of touring Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer, although he is expected to return before the end of the domestic season.
Flanker Rory Darge, 24, and fly-half Finn Russell, 32, will co-captain Scotland in his absence.
Capped 30 times since his debut in 2021, Tuipulotu has scored three Scotland tries and forms a dynamic midfield partnership with Huw Jones.
Lock Scott Cummings, 28, is also likely to miss the Six Nations with the arm fracture that forced him off during Glasgow’s game against Harlequins.
The withdrawals of Cummings and Tuipulotu take Gregor Townsend’s squad down to 36, but no additional players will be called up at this point.
Townsend’s side open their championship at home to Italy on 1 February.