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Scotland blow as Kyle Steyn injury 'more serious' than thought

Scotland wing Kyle Steyn in action during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Scotland and Romania at Stade Pierre Mauroy on September 30, 2023 in Lille, France. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Scotland have been dealt another injury blow two weeks out from their opening autumn Test against Fiji with Glasgow wing Kyle Steyn suffering a setback in his recovery from an ankle issue.

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The Warriors skipper started the season in prime form with three tries in their first two URC games before being forced off in the second half of their win over Benetton on 27 September.

Initially Glasgow expected Steyn to be out for no more than a couple of weeks and to be ready to return in time for their two matches in South Africa, starting with Saturday’s match against Sharks in Durban.

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The 30-year-old was penciled in to start at Kings Park Stadium but had to withdraw on Thursday after a scan on arrival in South Africa.

“We got here on Tuesday and we then scanned him on Wednesday,” reported Glasgow head coach Franco Smith. “It looks like it’s more serious than we thought originally.

“It will then become a six to eight-week injury. But the confirmation will come on Monday, when it will be more clear. But for now, he’s not available for this game and most likely not for next week (against the Stormers) either.”

If the latest prognosis is confirmed, Steyn, who has scored 13 tries in 23 Tests, would miss at least the first two of Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures against Fiji and South Africa, and possibly the final two against Portugal and Australia as well.

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“Definitely, I think it will be a disappointment (for Steyn),” said Smith. “For now, we need more information from the doctors in Scotland next week and the week after. When we have a precise plan, we will obviously make sure that we get him back on the field as soon as possible.

“But I do not want to rule anything out for him at this moment. It’s a subtle injury that we can treat conservatively. So let’s see how he progresses. But it looks like it’s a little bit longer term than just two weeks.”

Scotland have already lost the services of Saracens flanker Andy Christie, who suffered an horrendous ankle dislocation against Harlequins last weekend which is likely to keep him out for most of the season.

Edinburgh second-row Sam Skinner is not expected to return from knee surgery until late November, while club-mate and fellow lock Glen Young has yet to play this season after a chest injury sustained on Scotland’s summer tour.

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Head coach Gregor Townsend is also thin on tighthead props with Glasgow’s Murphy Walker out with a neck problem until at least late November and Edinburgh’s Javan Sebastian facing possible surgery on a shoulder AC joint issue.

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RedWarrior 20 minutes ago
Four talking points after a 'bonkers' England loss to Australia

(See quote below for context.)


The Australia result yesterday was massive but perhaps not for the reasons the author here thinks. Before the match Australia ranked 9th and 5 points behind Argentina in 6th were in real grave danger of an uphill battle in their own RWC to avoid a last 16 elimination. They needed to move in this November series. I suspected they might target a big match to win for points gain and Schmidt must have reasoned that England's 'rest week' between NZ and SA was the one to target. So Australia fighting to the death here may have given the illusion of a 'bonkers' match but it was a team fighting to death to win their key match.

Incredibly, England are now ranked 7th behind Arg in 5th and Scotland in 6th.

Australia re 8th but very close. If Australia win against Wales and Scotland then they they are clear in 6th. If other results go for them they could be 5th. Australia cannot make ground net summer, they had to do it now and they had to get close enough to Argentina to allow Australia to secure the ranking they need next year.

Incredible by Schmidt and Australia but some insights into the extra motivation that may have fueled that performance yesterday.


If SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.

As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.

Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.

Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.

Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.

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