Six Nations 2019: Scotland's Finn Russell undergoes concussion protocol
Last updated on .From the section Scottish Rugby
Six Nations Championship: France v Scotland |
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Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 23 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT |
Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Sport website |
Finn Russell has been confirmed as a doubt with a head knock for Scotland's Six Nations trip to face France.
Fly-half Russell was replaced in the first half of Racing 92's 34-29 defeat by Top 14 leaders Toulouse on Sunday.
Scotland have stated that the 26-year-old is now subject to further monitoring and the "graduated return to play protocol" in case of concussion.
As a precaution, Worcester Warriors' Duncan Weir has been added to the squad along with five others.
All being well, the earliest Russell could play would be Saturday, the day of the France game, which means he must remain symptom free up until kick-off.
Any setbacks and he will be ruled out, but he was symptom-free on Monday and will be monitored in the hope of naming him in the team on Thursday.
He could be named and then pulled out at any point before kick-off should any symptoms develop.
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Russell had a hand in all five of Scotland's tries against Italy and set up their solitary score in the defeat by Ireland.
Despite the call to Weir, Glasgow's Adam Hastings and Pete Horne would be Russell's likely deputies should he fail to recover in time to play in Paris.
Back row Magnus Bradbury, wing Dougie Fife and centre James Johnstone, all Edinburgh, and Glasgow Warriors forwards Zander Fagerson and George Turner have also been added to the squad.
Warriors pair George Horne and Stafford McDowall, as well as Edinburgh front-row forwards David Cherry, Murray McCallum and Leicester Tigers forward Jake Kerr, drop out.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is already without his first-choice back row from last year in John Barclay, Hamish Watson and Ryan Wilson, as well as in-form forward Sam Skinner and key prop WP Nel.
Last week, he lost British and Irish Lions full-back Stuart Hogg and centre Huw Jones to injuries that may keep them out for the remainder of the tournament.
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The number of injuries to our key players is horrendous. Sadly this 6N is a write off for us
Because the rest weeks aren't part of the international window, so we cannot withhold players, who are contracted to clubs outside Scotland, if the players club requests their return.
This is why it's important to keep as many players in Scotland under the SRU's control.
"Russell was a liability today. He's a Maverick with no control at times"
Pray tell the HYS forum
Was this the maverick who only played 35 minutes but in that time scored a try, a try assist, made more clean breaks, beat more defenders than any of his team mates who played the whole 80 mins?
So I am mystified how he was a liability?
Anyway if Finn is injured we have to play Horne
Scotland really need to have all their top players fit if they are going to beat the top 5 rugby nations. Unfortunately this season has been a disaster for them and they may not win another game this 6N due to this crippling and quite severe injury list.
Worst hit injury list side of the 6N this year by far.
the SRU can't afford 2 more pro teams.
As an Englishman I can't understand why that is so. Ireland is a similar sized Country and runs 4 sides and Wales has a smaller population and also runs 4. Surely Scotland could fund at least 1 more side.. used to have Borders so maybe restart that
Every other NH team would love to have him, solets hope he is fit for the weekend
French rugby union does not owe any favours to anyone else when it comes to the welfare of overseas players. If you play outside your own national structure then you are a resource to be utilised by your club as they require. That's professional sport.
If players don't like it then they should stay at home.
PS: Hope Finn is OK and fit to play on Saturday!
Russell
Hogg
Duncan Taylor
Nel
Richie Gray
Barclay
Watson
Wilson
Huw Jones
Are injury list is unbelievable.