Injured McInally set to miss Six Nations opener

SCOTLAND coach Gregor Townsend faces an anxious wait before learning if Stuart McInally will be fit for the start of the Six Nations after the hooker missed Edinburgh’s loss to Glasgow at the weekend because of a neck strain.

With the Warriors’ Fraser Brown already ruled out of the whole Championship because of a neck injury, losing McInally would stretch the national team’s resources. Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill said after his team’s 23-22 defeat that he hoped McInally would only be sidelined for two weeks, but admitted it could be a longer-term problem.

“At this point I’ve no idea, but hopefully yes,” Cockerill said when asked if McInally’s absence would only be for a fortnight. We’re hoping it’s not a long-term injury, but we’ll have to see. We’re still waiting for him to see a specialist to see what exactly the issue is.”

Townsend will announce his squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday, with Scotland’s opening fixture being away to England on February 6. If McInally is ruled out, Glasgow’s George Turner will be a firm favourite to start in the No.2 jersey, with back-up coming from his team-mate Grant Stewart or Leicester’s Jake Kerr, both of whom have just one cap. Edinburgh’s David Cherry, who has previously been called into the national squad but has yet to win a cap, could also come into consideration.

Edinburgh flanker Jamie Ritchie missed the 1872 Cup match after sustaining a head knock in training, and he will have to pass his concussion protocols before being allowed to resume. Glasgow loosehead Oli Kebble is in the same boat, having injured his head in training on Thursday, as is Warriors second-row Scott Cummings, who was unable to finish Saturday’s game after failing a head injury assessment.

Edinburgh lock Ben Toolis was a late withdrawal from the visitors’ squad after feeling the effects of a toe injury, but he could be passed fit for his team’s rearranged PRO14 match against Zebre in Parma on Saturday.