Scotland lock Gray to miss rest of Six Nations

Scotland have suffered another major blow to their Six Nations hopes with the news that lock Jonny Gray will miss the rest of the campaign with injury.

Gray has started both of Scotland's opening two Six Nations fixtures, and played the full 80 minutes of Saturday's defeat to England at Murrayfield.

Yet the Glasgow Warriors lock will play no further part in Scotland's campaign due to a hand injury.

Scotland have suffered back-to-back defeats in the opening rounds of the Six Nations, losing to Ireland and England, while the ongoing saga surrounding Finn Russell's absence continues to dog the team.

Gray, 25, has been 56 times for Scotland since making his debut in 2013, and the Glasgow lock is set to move to Exeter Chiefs next season.

He suffered the injury during the Calcutta Cup defeat by England on Saturday, and the Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed he would return to his club for “ongoing care and assessment”.

His absence will present another headache for Townsend, who has been open to some heavy criticism following the team's underwhelming World Cup campaign last year.

Scotland are back in action when they travel to take on Italy on February 22 before welcoming France to Murrayfield on March 8.

The final round of action sees Townsend's team away to Wales on March 14.

Watch: Eddie Jones warns against Six Nations expansion.