Yahoo 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 most highly rated centres in the game, will have surgery to repair the issue.
The upper body 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 captain Scotland in his absence.
Capped 30 times since 2021, Tuipulotu has scored three Scotland tries.
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.
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'One of the form inside centres in the world'
Sione Tuipulotu is one of the form inside centres in the world game; a captain, a physical brute, an artist, an inspiration to his team.
His absence means a chunk of optimism about Scotland's campaign goes with him.
His partnership with Huw Jones is a cosmic blend. Now an alternative is needed.
Jones and Tom Jordan do not pack enough physical punch - Franco Smith never plays them together at 12 and 13 for Glasgow.
Most likely, it is going to be another Warriors pair, Stafford McDowall and Jones, in the midfield. That is still a forceful and dynamic unit.
As for Tuipulotu's fitness for the Lions, let us just presume that whatever time he misses in the Six Nations he will still have enough to get himself roaring again in time to secure selection for the summer in Australia.
'Absolute disaster' - Your views on Tuipulotu injury
John: This will be an absolute disaster for Scotland. First and foremost, I hope that he recovers quickly. He is an exemplary leader and player.
Ben: The injury to Tuipulotu plus Glasgow's result against Harlequins has definitely put a dampener on optimism for the Six Nations. If we want to be in with a serious chance at the tournament, we need all of our big players available and playing consistently at eight or nine out of 10's. Zander Fagerson, Finn Russell & Tuipulotu we need the most.
Henry: Tuipulotu's injury was obvious last week and he should have been withdrawn immediately. Now he and George Horne are doubtful Scotland starts. No Warriors excuses. We did it the hard way last year and can repeat that this time.
Bill: Of course the loss of a world class player is a blow to a squad which is aiming to bring on a number of newer talents supported by several established stars, but we must stop focusing on negatives and reorganise around our other game changers including, in particular, Huw Jones and Blair Kinghorn.
Scotland's Six Nations squad
Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow), Gregor Brown (Glasgow), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh), Rory Darge (Glasgow), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Bordeaux), Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), Will Hurd (Leicester), Jack Mann (Glasgow), D'Arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Dylan Richardson (Sharks), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh)
Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Matt Currie (Edinburgh), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), Huw Jones (Glasgow), Tom Jordan (Glasgow), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow), Finn Russell (Bath), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon)
