Stafford McDowall replaces injured captain Sione Tuipulotu at centre for Scotland's opening Six Nations match against Italy.

Scotland has been dealt a major blow ahead of the Six Nations with captain Sione Tuipulotu ruled out of the rugby tournament because of injury.

The void left by Tuipulotu is clear but there is now an opportunity to try new combinations and shock their Six Nations opponents

Ben White will continue his partnership with Russell in the half-backs with Townsend picking a lethal back-three in the form of wingers Darcy Graham, Duhan van der Merwe and full-

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations Championship after being hurt in training last week while lock Scott Cummings’ participation is in doubt after he broke his arm at the weekend,

Glasgow Warriors centre Stafford McDowall will start at inside centre for Scotland against Italy on Saturday in the

Stafford McDowall will earn his ninth cap for Scotland at inside centre, replacing injured captain Sione Tuipulotu against Italy in the Six Nations opener. The seasoned backline aims for victory with McDowall partnering Huw Jones,

Stafford McDowall will earn a ninth cap at inside centre for Scotland in the place of injured captain Sione Tuipulotu in an otherwise experienced backline to face Italy in their Six Nations opener at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The grim confirmation of Sione Tuipulotu's Six Nations-ending injury was expected but it still landed with a thud nonetheless. Tuipulotu is one of the form inside centres in the game; a captain, a physical brute,

Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe, Jonny Gray, Dave Cherry all start for Scotland in Six Nations; Scotland begin their campaign at home against Italy on Saturday February 1 (2.15pm kick-off); Gre

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 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.