Scotland statement: Scott Cummings called up as injury cover

Scott Cummings has joined up with the Scotland squad this week as he closes in on a return from injury. The 26-year-old second row has been sidelined since picking up a foot injury with Glasgow just before the Autumn Nations Series Tests and has not played since turning out for his club in a URC match away to Sharks in mid-October.

Cummings - who has 23 caps, the most recent of which came in last summer’s tour of Argentina - is now back in contention and will train with the squad ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match against Wales at BT Murrayfield.

Saracens flanker Andy Christie, who was chosen in the Scotland squad of 40 named last month for the championship, has dropped out due to injury.

A tweeted SRU squad update read: "Andy Christie has returned to his club due to injury. Scott Cummings is in the final stages of his return from injury and will train with the Scotland squad this week."

Gregor Townsend's Scotland opened their 2023 Six Nations with last Saturday's 29-23 win over England in London. They now face the Welsh in round two for the third season in succession and will hope to reverse the defeats that happened in 2021 and 2022.