The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fitness concerns over Bennett and Maitland
Scotland: Cotter faces double injury blow as key pair pick up knocks in weekend games
Scotland head coach Vern Cotter will find out today if his Six Nations injury crisis has deepened.
Sean Maitland and Mark Bennett have emerged as fresh doubts for Saturday’s crucial showdown with Wales at Murrayfield.
Maitland picked up rib damage during Saracens’ weekend defeat by Gloucester at Kingsholm. Bennett sustained possible concussion as Glasgow were toppled 37-17 by Ulster in Belfast.
Winger Maitland had been a certain starter against Wales in the wake of fine performances in the home victory over Ireland and the narrow away loss to France. Centre Bennett came off the bench in each match.
Cotter is already resigned to being without skipper and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and loose forward Josh Strauss for the remainder of the campaign following the bruising encounter in Paris.
Laidlaw suffered knee ligament damage, while Strauss took a severe blow to the kidney. The sidelining of Strauss could spark a recall for Dave Denton, who is back in action for Bath after a fivemonth absence.
Denton, who needed surgery to repair a ripped hamstring, said: “I would love to be involved in the Scotland team, especially when it looks like they’re going to have a good Six Nations tournament.
“If that chance comes, I’ll take it with both hands. Injuries are part of the job, but when you’re out for so long it gets very tedious.
“It’s really tough mentally. This was by far the worst injury I’ve ever had and it has been awesome to be back out there on the pitch for Bath.”
Meanwhile Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend has told his Warriors side to get back into Pro12 bully-boy mode – or abandon hope of a tilt at the title.
Their defeat in Belfast leaves them with a mountain to climb to reach the play-offs – and Townsend insisted they must find the brawn to match their brains for the remainder of their roller-coaster league campaign.
The coach said: “We need more physicality at the breakdown.
Townsend added: “We were not physical enough against Ulster, particularly in the first half when we couldn’t put pressure on them.
“We now have to prepare to take on the Ospreys, one of the best teams in Europe this season. The competition is of such high quality this year and they have been one of the leading sides.
“It’s going to be a another really tough game for us.”
In addition to demanding a more robust approach from his men, Townsend faces more fitness worries in the build up to the Ospreys clash on Sunday.
Winger Lee Jones and forward Adam Ashe will undergo further concussion assessment, while wingers Sean Lamont and Rory Hughes took knocks at the Kingspan.
The competition is of such high quality this year...it’s going to be another really tough game for us. GREGOR TOWNSEND