Scotland lose two for Wales as jinx of non-Scottish based players injured on club duty strikes again

Scottish hopes of derailing Wales' 2019 Grand Slam bid has suffered a setback after two players involved in English Premiership action last weekend were ruled through injury. 

The fallow weekends in the Six Nations this year have been very unkind to Scotland. On the weekend in between their rounds two and three matches against Ireland and France, Gregor Townsend’s out-half Finn Russell was taken out of the international equation after suffering a concussion in Racing 92’s Top 14 defeat to Toulouse.

That left the playmaker filling a television punditry role at the Stade de France rather than being a pivotal part in the round three action. 

This issue of Scottish players playing for non-Scottish clubs is now set to hamper Townsend’s latest team selection as Sean Maitland, a starter on the wing against the Irish and the French, has been ruled out of next Saturday’s meeting with Wales due to a foot injury sustained while playing for Saracens last Saturday in their Premiership win over Northampton. 

Also out of the Scottish reckoning is Newcastle midfielder Chris Harris. A try-scorer in the opening round win over Italy, he reported for Scotland training with a calf injury following his club’s relegation battle win over Worcester on Sunday.   

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It was felt by the Scottish medical team that both would have insufficient time to recover from their injuries so they were sent back to their clubs for ongoing care and assessment. 

Russell, who missed the defeat in Paris, is back in Townsend’s plans after demonstrating he is clear of his concussion by playing an influential part in Racing’s comfortable French league win over La Rochelle.

Scotland have one win in three outings in this year’s Six Nations and are currently placed fifth on the table after Ireland and France moved above them with their round three wins.