Scotland have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the business end of the Six Nations, with a key loose forward ruled out for the remainder of the championship.
Jamie Ritchie, 29, fractured his leg during Scotland’s 31-20 Calcutta Cup victory over England at the weekend.
His Top 14 club Perpignan revealed that Ritchie is expected to be sidelined for around two months. The good news for both club and country is that surgery will not be required.
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“Jamie has suffered a tibial plateau fracture,” the club said in a statement.
“He will start his rehabilitation phase immediately. A return to competition is expected in about two months’ time.”
Ritchie was replaced at halftime at Murrayfield, with the severity of the injury only becoming clear after further assessment.
The former Edinburgh skipper has made a strong impression in the south of France since joining Perpignan at the start of the season, even captaining the side on occasion.
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His absence is a setback for Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, particularly with the side sitting second on the Six Nations table after two rounds – behind only France – following their morale-boosting win over England.
Scotland travel to Wales this weekend looking to build on that momentum after opening their campaign with a disappointing 18-15 defeat to Italy in Rome.
– AFP
Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images
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