GREIG Laidlaw’s availability for Scotland’s next match in the Six Nations Championship remains uncertain after Scottish Rugby released a statement yesterday saying only that he had been released back to his club, Gloucester. The captain sustained an ankle injury in the first half of Sunday’s 22-16 defeat by France and left the ground on crutches.
Scotland’s next match is at home to Wales a week on Saturday, so Laidlaw, like other members of the squad based outside of the country, is under the jurisdiction of his club until Vern Cotter’s squad reassemble early next week. Several other players will also have to have their injuries monitored before being cleared to play against the Welsh.
“Captain and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw injured his ankle in the 24th minute,” the statement from Scottish Rugby read. “As an exile player, he now returns to his club, Gloucester, for further assessment during the fallow week of the RBS 6 Nations.
“Back-row forwards John Barclay, and his replacement John Hardie both sustained head knocks in the game and are subject to the completion of the HIA [head-injury assessment] process. Barclay also requires further assessment on a shoulder injury, the management of which - this week - will take place at his club, Scarlets.
“Centre Alex Dunbar passed his HIA 1 during the match but developed some symptoms, possibly in keeping with concussion, after the match. Hooker Fraser Brown also came off for a HIA and didn't return field of play. Both players will now be treated as a concussion and will be subject to the graduated return to play protocol.
Josh Strauss sustained a heavy blow to his flank and will require further care and assessment.”
Ali Price replaced Laidlaw on Sunday, but if the captain is ruled out, it is probable that Henry Pyrgos will be recalled to the No 9 jersey, with Price retaining his place on the bench. If Hardie, Barclay and Strauss are all ruled out, Cotter will be forced to recast his back row, but that problem will be mitigated by the likely return of Ryan Wilson, who was ruled out of the Paris match with an elbow infection.
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