MAITLANDOUTOFSCOTLANDSQUAD AFTERBARBARIANSCOVID-19BREACH

Experienced wing Sean Maitland will not rejoin the Scotland squad for the delayed Six Nations game against Wales at Llanelli this week in light of being part of the group that broke Covid-19 protocols whilst with the Barbarians last week.

Maitland – along with 11 others including former Scotland international Tim Swinson – twice left the bubble hotel where the Barbarians were housed prior to their scheduled game against England at the weekend for dinner and drinks.

After the breach the game at Twickenham had to be cancelled.

Gregor Townsend confirmed that Maitland would not return to the Scotland squad this week but said the situation would be reviewed for the remaining five weeks of the elongated autumn campaign.

“We are working hard to ensure our training camp remains secure in terms of Covid protocols and as such Sean’s actions last week with the Barbarians mean that he won’t be able to re-join our group now,” said Townsend.

“We will review the situation in the coming weeks.”

Townsend has recalled Glasgow wing Ratu Tagive as cover with Edinburgh’s Damien Hoyland ruled out for the entire series.

Veteran lock Grant Gilchrist, as revealed last week, is also confirmed as out of the Autumn Tests with a groin injury.

Matt Fagerson suffered an ankle injury in the Georgia match but will stay with Scotland under the supervision of the medical team.

Exeter players, including Scotland captain Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray and Sam Skinner, have joined up with the Scotland squad after their double-winning season with the Chiefs, which concluded with the Gallagher Premiership Final win on Saturday.

“We welcome four players this week as we embark on our preparation for our final Guinness Six Nations match against Wales,” said Townsend.

“Ratu was unlucky to have missed out a couple of weeks ago, picking up an injury on the weekend we selected our training squad. It’s great to have him with us now.”

Maitland scored two tries in Scotland’s last Six Nations match, the victory over France at Murrayfield in March. The New Zealand-born wing/fullback has played in 48 tests since his debut in 2013.