UNLUCKY TAYLOR DOES NOT HAVE HIS TROUBLES TO SEEK

SPARE a thought for Saracens’ centre Duncan Taylor. The 32-year-old has 28 Scotland caps to his credit but would have had a lot more if it hadn’t been for a succession of injuries. His latest is a shoulder problem that requires surgery and will keep him out of the Six Nations. Scotland have two games in early February, against England and Wales, but his club don’t expect him to return to training until that month, so time is very much against him. True, Gregor Townsend has strength in depth in the centre in the shape of Chris Harris, Sam Johnson, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lang, Mark Bennett, Rory Hutchinson, Matt Scott and Cam Redpath. Even so, it’s sad to see that Taylor won’t be involved again when it truly matters.