Cam Redpath, the Bath centre, will come into contention later in the tournament. He is nursing an unspecified leg injury but Townsend hopes he will be available for the third match, against England.

Scotland have suffered a major blow on the eve of their Six Nations campaign, as captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Championship through injury.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations after injuring his pectoral muscle during a training session with Glasgow Warriors last week Scottish Rugby said on Monday.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been sidelined from the Six Nations Championship due to a pectoral injury during training. Lock Scott Cummings also faces uncertainty after an arm fracture. Rory Darge and Finn Russell will co-captain Scotland's campaign starting February 1 against Italy.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu's participation in the Six Nations has been cast into doubt after her was injured in training with Glasgow Warriors.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations tournament after suffering a chest injury in a major blow to his side's title hopes.

Scotland have suffered a major injury blow ahead of the Six Nations, with captain Sione Tuipulotu ruled out out of the competition.

Scotland have suffered a major blow after it was revealed that star centre and captain Sione Tuipulotu will miss the entire Guinness Six Nations because of a chest injury. Tuipulotu is to undergo surgery on the pectoral muscle that was damaged in training for Glasgow Warriors last week and has been ruled out of action until later in the season.

If Scotland’s Six Nations title-winning aspirations are to be taken seriously, this is the game they have to win...

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Darge knows Scotland need a winning start to be serious challengers this year but is wary of the Italian rugby renaissance under Gonzalo Quesada. Aside from beating Scotland last season, the Argentina coach led them to a win over Wales in Cardiff and a draw with France in Paris. In truth, they should also have beaten England.