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2025-01-20 12:03:00
Evaluation – Tom English, BBC Scotland’s chief sport author
The grim affirmation of Sione Tuipulotu’s Six Nations-ending damage was anticipated however it nonetheless landed with a thud nonetheless.
Tuipulotu is likely one of the kind inside centres within the recreation; a captain, a bodily brute, an artist, an inspiration to his staff. He is a reasonably uncommon amalgam of world-class bludgeon and world-class rapier.
His absence – and that of the excellent lock Scott Cummings – has seen Scottish optimism, racing alongside merrily final week, decreased to a gradual crawl. Glasgow have additionally suffered a double blow within the lack of two essential operators.
Tuipulotu’s partnership with Huw Jones is a cosmic mix. Now another is required. Jones and his glorious Warriors’ team-mate, Tom Jordan, do not pack sufficient bodily punch for Take a look at rugby as a duo. Franco Smith by no means performs them collectively at 12-13 for Glasgow.
The identical might be stated for Rory Hutchinson, the damaging Northampton centre. A Hutchinson-Jones combo lacks sufficient muscle for the unforgiving fields of Six Nations rugby.
Most certainly, it is going to be one other Warriors pair, Stafford McDowall and Jones within the midfield within the championship.
McDowall is a troublesome operator and Glasgow’s captain however no person contained in the Scotland camp is pretending Tuipulotu’s absence is something aside from a nightmare.
As for Tuipulotu’s health for the Lions – just about each pundit in all 4 nations has picked him at 12 within the Take a look at sequence – let’s simply hope that his operation is profitable and that his restoration is swift.
Dropping Cummings can also be hellish information given his energy recreation and his kind. Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Grey will certainly now begin towards Italy within the opening day of the championship, however their back-up, Glasgow’s Max Williamson, can also be out for the event, so there are issues in a number of locations.
Glasgow head coach Smith, like Gregor Townsend, should be a dissatisfied man at the moment.
Scotland started their Six Nations season with two dwelling video games back-to-back, with Italy after which Eire coming to Murrayfield within the first 9 days of February.
The percentages on Townsend’s staff inflicting a sensation this season can have drifted with Monday’s information.
