The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Injury-hit Scots dealt devastating blow as Ryan Wilson ruled out of Six Nations
Flanker ruled out of championship as Townsend sweats over Hogg and Jones
Scotland suffered another loss to their dwindling band of back-row forwards after Ryan Wilson was ruled out of the rest of the Guinness Six Nations.
The Glasgow captain went off injured halfway through Scotland’s 22-13 defeat by Ireland on Saturday and has been diagnosed with ligament damage.
Gregor Townsend is also sweating on the fitness of full-back Stuart Hogg and centre Huw Jones ahead of the trip to face France at the Stade de France on February 23.
The Scotland head coach admitted Wilson’s loss had been as much a blow as Hogg’s early withdrawal as Scotland failed to keep their first-half momentum going at BT Murrayfield.
The loss of the loose forward comes days after his Warriors team-mate, flanker Matt Smith, was ruled out for the season after withdrawing from the Scotland squad with a shoulder injury.
Townsend is also missing key players Hamish Watson, John Barclay and David Denton from his back row, while Blade Thomson, Magnus Bradbury, Cornell Du Preez and Luke Hamilton were also injured before the Six Nations began.
John Hardie and Sam Skinner were both unavailable for Saturday’s game after picking up injuries.
Jamie Ritchie and Josh Strauss started in the back row on Saturday, with Rob Harley ultimately replacing his Warriors team-mate Wilson.
Newcastle’s Gary Graham could come back into the reckoning after dropping out of the 23-man squad following his debut against Italy.
Hogg only lasted 17 minutes before a collision with Peter O’Mahony saw him land on his shoulder, which suffered ligament damage.
Scotland conceded a try within 60 seconds and missed the twice player of the tournament for the remainder of the game.
Jones finished the game but has also been diagnosed with ligament damage in his knee.
Both backs remain with Townsend’s squad and will see specialists this week.
Scotland will face a France side low on confidence after their crushing 44-8 defeat by England at Twickenham on Sunday followed a home defeat by Wales despite leading 16-0 at the interval.