Jason White, the Scotland captain, is almost certain to miss the summer tour of Argentina, but his Sale Sharks team-mate Rory Lamont should be fit in time for the two-match Test series.
Jason White, the Scotland captain, is almost certain to miss the summer tour of Argentina, but his Sale Sharks team-mate Rory Lamont should be fit in time for the two-match Test series.
White has been one of the most influential performers for Frank Hadden, the Scotland head coach, but, in addition to sustaining a groin injury recently, he requires surgery to repair knee damage.
This will be carried out at the end of Sale's season - the Guinness Premiership club are chasing a play-off place - and the Scottish Rugby Union is resigned to losing his services for the important trip to Argentina, which could make or break Hadden's future.
"Jason will be getting a tidy-up operation, which we always knew he would require at some stage," said Hadden, whose options for the tour are likely to be restricted to his Glasgow and Edinburgh personnel, given the probable absence of his English and French-based players. "Obviously, we would like to have had it the operation happen before now, but his club is trying to qualify for the play-offs and Jason is their captain, so you can see where they are coming from."
Lamont has made an excellent recovery from the serious facial fracture he sustained during the Calcutta Cup victory over England in March which led him being sidelined since.
"Rory has made a good recovery from his injury, he is back in training and we are pleased with his progress," said Dave Swanton, a Sale spokesman. "If things continue as we expect, Rory should be fully fit again by the end of May."
Meanwhile, a former rival of the tennis player Andy Murray at Dunblane High School yesterday gained his first step towards a professional career.
Steven Turnbull, a 21-year-old lock forward who has shone on the club circuit in the last couple of years, is one of three youngsters to be rewarded for their efforts - Sean Crombie and Kyle Traynor are the others - by being signed on pro contracts with Edinburgh.
It means that Turnbull can contemplate pursuing international honours in the future and carving out the sort of path which Murray has established.
"I used to play tennis with Andy quite a bit when I was younger. I know him pretty well, so it would be great if I could achieve the same success in rugby that he has achieved in tennis," said Turnbull, who has flourished as part of the National Academy.
"I've suffered quite a tough season with injury this year, so I hope I can get a good pre-season under my belt and push on from there."
Turnbull and his two soon-to-be Edinburgh team-mates have all benefited from combining club duties with the Academy, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities. Traynor, 22, who was Watsonians captain this season, paid tribute to his coach at Myreside, Cammy Mather, for fast-tracking him into the paid ranks.
"Cammy instilled a few pointers in me that have enabled me to become a better professional," said Traynor. "I think I am better rugby player now and Watsonians have helped me greatly in that."
