Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations Championship after being hurt in training last week
The pectoral muscle injury, which needs to be operated on, also puts in jeopardy the 27-year-old’s chances of touring Australia with the British & Irish Lions in mid-year.
Born in Frankston, Victoria, Tuipulotu lived in Australia until he was 22, playing for the Melbourne Rebels and representing the Junior Wallabies
Having qualified for Scotland through his grandmother the Glasgow Warriors’ centre was first capped in 2021 and took over as captain in November.
“Sione will undergo surgery this week and is expected to return to action before the end of the season,” a statement from Scottish Rugby said.
Scotland’s Six Nations hopes have copped a massive blow after Sione Tuipulotu picked up an injury at training. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
The heartbroken centre took to social media on Monday to express his disappointment.
“I’m sorry Scotland,” he said. “I genuinely can’t believe it but the game is the game and I won’t doubt god’s timing. I’m right behind the bros. I will be back stronger.”
With Tuipulotu out Rory Darge and Finn Russell have been named as co-captains for the Six Nations campaign.
Scott Cummings’ participation is in doubt after he broke his arm early on in Glasgow Warriors’ defeat by Harlequins in the European Champions Cup on Saturday.
Former Scotland captain John Barclay said the blow was “as big as if France were to lose [Antoine] Dupont”, while his former teammate Ryan Wilson added that the loss of the centre was a “huge blow”.
