Cam Redpath, the Bath centre, will come into contention later in the tournament. He is nursing an unspecified leg injury but Townsend hopes he will be available for the third match, against England.

Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out for the entire Guinness Six Nations Championship and Scott Cummings is also likely to miss the tournament in what is a double-blow to Scotland’s preparations.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations after injuring his pectoral muscle during a training session with Glasgow Warriors last week Scottish Rugby said on Monday.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been sidelined from the Six Nations Championship due to a pectoral injury during training. Lock Scott Cummings also faces uncertainty after an arm fracture. Rory Darge and Finn Russell will co-captain Scotland's campaign starting February 1 against Italy.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu's participation in the Six Nations has been cast into doubt after her was injured in training with Glasgow Warriors.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations tournament after suffering a chest injury in a major blow to his side's title hopes.

Scotland have suffered a major injury blow ahead of the Six Nations, with captain Sione Tuipulotu ruled out out of the competition.

Scotland have suffered a major blow after it was revealed that star centre and captain Sione Tuipulotu will miss the entire Guinness Six Nations because of a chest injury. Tuipulotu is to undergo surgery on the pectoral muscle that was damaged in training for Glasgow Warriors last week and has been ruled out of action until later in the season.

Darge knows Scotland need a winning start to be serious challengers this year but is wary of the Italian rugby renaissance under Gonzalo Quesada. Aside from beating Scotland last season, the Argentina coach led them to a win over Wales in Cardiff and a draw with France in Paris. In truth, they should also have beaten England.

Darge and Russell jointly lead Scotland in last year’s Six Nations, while the Glasgow Warriors flanker was given the responsibility on his own during the summer tour, only for Gregor Townsend to relieve them of the honour in favour of Tuipulotu in the autumn.

Always a highlight of the sporting calendar, this year’s Six Nations promises to be an absolute thriller. Ireland and France are vying for favouritism and deservedly so but both have their issues.