Scotland dealt injury hammerblow with 3 conquerors of England ruled out

Scotland have confirmed that Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey and Jamie Dobie have returned to their clubs for further assessment after picking up injuries in the Calcutta Cup victory over England on Saturday in round two of the Guinness Six Nations.

Former captain Ritchie, who came into the matchday squad having missed the round one defeat to Italy, was seen in visible discomfort on the pitch in the closing stages of the first half with a knee injury, and was replaced by Matt Fagerson at the break.

The Perpignan flanker had already scored a try as Gregor Townsend’s side opened a 24-10 lead at the break before going on to claim a 31-20 victory.

His back-row colleague Dempsey lasted 15 minutes of the second half before succumbing to a bicep injury.

Dempsey has returned to his club, Glasgow Warriors, alongside club-mate Dobie, who picked up a shoulder injury in the closing minutes of the match.

Fixture

Six Nations

Wales

23 - 26

Full-time

Scotland

All Stats and Data

Speaking after the match, Townsend said that the three injuries appeared “serious”. 

Dobie’s injury could open the door for Duhan van der Merwe or Blair Kinghorn to return to the matchday squad, having not featured so far this year.

Scotland will head to Cardiff in round three of the Six Nations to take on a Wales side that remain winless this Championship. A victory for the Scots could temporarily lift them to the top of the standings ahead of France’s clash with Italy on Sunday.

The injury to the back-row duo could see the versatile Gregor Brown start at flanker at the Principality Stadium, having initially packed down in the second-row in the Calcutta Cup.

Following their clash with Wales, Scotland will close their championship with France at Murrayfield and Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in round five, with Townsend still searching for his first win over the Irish since taking over as head coach in 2017.