Scotland’s Six Nations campaign has suffered two significant blows, with captain Sione Tuipulotu ruled out and lock Scott Cummings’ participation in jeopardy due to injury.
Tuipulotu, who took over the captaincy in November, sustained a chest injury during a training session with Glasgow Warriors last week. The 27-year-old will undergo surgery this week, and while he is expected to return before the end of the season, he will miss the upcoming Six Nations Championship. This injury also casts doubt on his prospects of joining the British & Irish Lions for their mid-year tour of Australia, his birthplace.
In the wake of Tuipulotu’s injury, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has named Rory Darge and Finn Russell as co-captains for the Six Nations. Both players led the team in several matches during the 2024 Championship, and Russell had previously captained Scotland to an opening win over Wales in Cardiff.
Meanwhile, lock Scott Cummings faces a similar setback. He fractured his arm during Glasgow Warriors’ loss to Harlequins in the European Champions Cup on Saturday. Scottish Rugby confirmed that Cummings is “likely to miss the tournament” and will undergo further assessments to determine his recovery timeline.
With the Six Nations beginning on February 1 at Murrayfield against Italy, Scotland has named a 37-man squad for the competition, and there are currently no plans to make any additions.
Scotland’s injury concerns come at a critical time, with the team looking to build on their recent performances in the Championship. The absence of Tuipulotu and the uncertainty surrounding Cummings will challenge coach Townsend as he prepares for the tournament.
As the team focuses on their opening match against Italy, the leadership of Darge and Russell will be vital in navigating these early setbacks.