Scots assess Ford after pecs injury

Scotland’s most-capped player Ross Ford is a doubt for next Saturday’s opening autumn Test against Samoa after it emerged the hooker had injured himself during training with the national squad.

It adds to a growing frontrow headache for Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, who has lost a number of international props and Glasgow Warriors hooker Fraser Brown for the series, which also includes Tests against New Zealand and Australia.

Ford was not included in Edinburgh’s squad for this evening’s Guinness Pro14 meeting with Ospreys at Myreside and his club coach Richard Cockerill said: “Ross had an injury while in camp with Scotland so we are just trying to determine how long he’ll be out, but he’s obviously not fit for this weekend.

“He got a pectoral injury so we’re just waiting to see how long it’s going to be, but we’re not sure. He’s gone to see the specialist. Whether he’s fit for Scotland next weekend I don’t know. He’s with Scotland and being assessed by their medical team.”

Loosehead Darryl Marfo has been held back by the Scotland squad, suggesting the 27-year-old could be in line for what until recently would have seemed an unlikely Test debut.