JAMIE RITCHIE and Sean Maitland are expected to be fit to play against France in a fortnight’s time after being ruled out of tomorrow’s clash against Wales due to hamstring and Achilles injuries respectively.
Meanwhile, the prognosis for Cameron Redpath, who has a neck issue, is not so clear, although head coach Gregor Townsend says he hopes that the centre will return in time to play some part in the remainder of this year’s Six Nations.
“We don’t think they will be out too long,” said Townsend, referencing all three players. “With Jamie and Sean, they’ll be back for the French game.”
Scotland v Wales: Jamie Ritchie, Cameron Redpath and Sean Maitland out
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“Jamie had a hamstring tighten up during the game and he obviously had to come off. It is not a serious hamstring injury and we expect him to be back in full training next week or, if not, the French week.
“Sean had a couple of niggles which were effecting his Achilles and his knee, which was going to mean that he wasn’t going to be able to train this week, but we expect him to be back next week with his club in London.
“At a push he could have been available this weekend but the physical nature of the game, and the training that we need to do, and also the fact that he has hardly played any rugby the last few weeks, we felt it not right to put him in the team this weekend. But we see them both being back in the next couple of weeks.
“Cam Redpath presented with a neck injury the day after the game which hasn’t improved, and we’ve been liaising with his club after a scan on his neck. He’ll probably miss the next few weeks but we just never know how quickly these neck issues resolve. But we’re optimistic that he’ll be back involved with us at some point later in the Championship.
“There’s a neural element there and we’re just waiting for him to get his strength back before he returns to full training, but we’re hopeful that he’ll have a part to play in the championship later on.”
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Scotland (v Wales on Saturday, at Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off 4.45pm GMT): S Hogg©; D Graham, C Harris, J Lang, D van der Merwe; F Russell, A Price; R Sutherland, G Turner, Z Fagerson, S Cummings, J Gray, B Thomson, H Watson, M Fagerson. Substitutes: D Cherry, O Kebble, W Nel, R Gray, G Graham, S Steele, J van der Walt, H Jones.
Wales: L Halfpenny; L Rees-Zammit, O Watkin, N Tompkins, L Williams; D Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, K Owens, T Francis, A Beard, AW Jones, A Wainwright, J Tipuric, T Faletau. Subs: E Dee, R Jones, L Brown, W Rowlands, J Botham, K Hardy, C Sheedy, U Halohalo.
Scotland v Wales: Jamie Ritchie, Cameron Redpath and Sean Maitland out
This is where a coach earns his money. When you have part of your plan leave through the back door. This is the stuff that the likes of Henry, Geech, Erasmus and Gatland are good at planning around. The unknown.
If you want to be a world class coach you have to have a playbook based upon what’s available to you and what’s coming at you.
I think we will carry the momentum but so will Wales. It will be an interesting test for Toony. Has the team really become a team or are we still just having the odd good day.
You have Chris Harries in the squad.
Both teams showing the attritional nature of the modern game.
Hopefully we can carry on the positive progress from the England game.