Scotland lose trio to Six Nations injuries

Scotland’s Six Nations campaign has suffered a major setback after three starting players were ruled unlikely to feature again in the tournament following injuries sustained in the Calcutta Cup win over England.

Scotland Six Nations Injury Update

Assistant coach Pete Horne confirmed Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey and Jamie Dobie are expected to miss the remainder of the championship. All three started the 31-20 victory at Murrayfield but left the field before full-time.

Ritchie suffered a knee injury, Dempsey sustained a bicep problem and Dobie picked up a shoulder injury. After returning to their clubs for assessment, the trio are now unlikely to rejoin the squad unless recovery timelines change late in the competition.

Impact On Scotland Squad Depth

The injuries remove key contributors from Scotland’s forward pack and backline. Ritchie has been a regular presence at flanker, while Dempsey’s role at No.8 provided physicality and ball carrying. Dobie offered pace and versatility in the backs.

Horne acknowledged the losses but indicated confidence in the remaining squad members.

"It's looking that way, which is unfortunate," he said.

"If there is an outside chance of them getting back involved, then great, they'll link back up with us in the last week or so, but I can't see it, to be honest.

"It's a brutal game, Test match rugby. It's so physical now, the collisions, the size of these boys, the physicality that's involved. I think Demo [Dempsey] actually summed it up really well in the first week"