The search for a new Scotland captain will resume this week following confirmation that Grant Gilchrist, who was appointed to the position barely a week ago, had suffered a fractured arm in the course of Edinburgh's 25-17 European Challenge Cup victory over Lyon Olympique Universitaire at Murrayfield on Friday evening.
In a development which mirrored the fate that befell Kelly Brown two seasons ago, the appointment proved more of a curse than a blessing for Gilchrist, who will miss Scotland's entire autumn Test programme. The lock will have surgery this week and his participation in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, which starts in early February, must also be a matter of doubt.
It has already been confirmed that Jim Hamilton, who was left out of the 33-man squad that was named last week, is to take Gilchrist's second-row slot in the squad. When it comes to deciding upon a replacement leader, though, the Scotland coach Vern Cotter could turn to either Greig Laidlaw or Ross Ford, both former captains included in the squad, to take charge of the side.
Chris Cusiter would be another obvious candidate as captain, but the Sale Sharks scrum-half was ruled out of his side's European Champion's Cup match with Clermont Auvergne on Sunday because of a calf problem. In his absence, Cotter has called Edinburgh's Sam Hidalgo-Clyne into the training camp which is being held in Newcastle this week, but Sale's director of rugby Steve Diamond reported that Cusiter's problem is not serious and that he expected the player to be fit to play within a few days.
The Glasgow centre Peter Horne, another notable absentee from the squad chosen by Cotter last week, has been given another chance to stake his claim for a place in the Scotland midfield after being called into the squad as cover for his clubmate Alex Dunbar, who suffered an ankle injury during Warriors' 15-13 victory over Montpellier at the weekend.
While Gilchrist's problem clearly has national significance, it is also a desperate blow for Edinburgh. The capital side, already in the midst of an injury crisis, suffered a heavy casualty toll in the course of their win against Lyon.
Loose forwards Roddy Grant and Hamish Watson suffered cheek and jaw fractures respectively, and it seems increasingly likely that the coach Alan Solomons will have to seek player loan deals to strengthen his forward resources.
Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland, who both suffered head knocks for Glasgow against Montpellier, have been ordered to rest for another day before joining up with the national squad in Newcastle.
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