SCOTLAND forwards Jonny Gray and David Denton will both miss Saturday’s final Six Nations Championship match against Ireland because of injury. Second-row Gray sustained a partial tear to a pectoral muscle during Sunday’s 29-18 win over France, while Denton is still recovering from the groin injury that has caused him to miss the last two internationals.
Gray has been outstanding for Scotland in recent games, emerging as one of the leaders of the team as well as weighing in with a hefty individual contribution. Tim Swinson is now likely to come off the bench to start alongside Gray’s older brother Richie, having come on as a substitute in each of the four previous games in the championship. Ben Toolis is the other lock forward to have been named in the wider squad, but Rob Harley could also come into contention.
Denton pulled out of the starting line-up shortly before the match in Rome, with his place going to Ryan Wilson. Josh Strauss, a substitute for the Italian game, started instead of Wilson against France, and those two Glasgow Warriors players again seem likely to fight it out for a place in the starting line-up alongside John Barclay and John Hardie.
“A scan at Spire Murrayfield Hospital yesterday (Monday) confirmed the clinical suspicion that Gray had sustained a partial pectoral tear in Sunday's win over France, and has subsequently been ruled out of this weekend's game,” a statement from Scottish Rugby said. “The Scotland management also confirmed that back-row David Denton has returned to his club, Bath Rugby, where he will continue his rehabilitation from the groin injury sustained on the eve of the Italy match in Rome.”
Finn Russell remains a doubt after a head knock ended his involvement early in the match against France. He needs to pass a Head Injury Assessment protocol before being cleared to take part against Ireland.
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