THREE players – tight-head prop WP Nel, second-row Tim Swinson and flanker Rob Harley – have all been ruled out of the remainder of Scotland’s Autumn Test schedule.
Jon Welsh of Newcastle Falcons has been brought into the squad as cover for Nel, although Zander Fagerson is short-odds favourite to start in the number three jersey against New Zealand on Saturday, with Simon Berghan providing cover from the bench against the country of his birth.
Nel and Swinson sustained an arm fracture and hand injury respectively in Saturday’s win over Samoa at BT Murrayfield, each requiring further specialist assessment.
Harley picked up a knee injury in training last week. He has returned to the care of the Glasgow Warriors’ medical team.
Wing Tommy Seymour injured his toe in the same match. A MRI scan was performed at Spire Murrayfield Hospital, which confirmed that the player will require ongoing treatment by the Scotland medical team before returning to training this week. Defence coach Matt Taylor said yesterday [Monday] that he anticipates the player will be available for selection this coming weekend.