Scotland have been dealt a major blow ahead of the Six Nations Championship with the news that captain Sione Tuipulotu will miss the tournament through injury.

The 27-year-old requires surgery on the pectoral injury he sustained while training with Glasgow Warriors.

It’s a huge setback for the 30-times capped star, who now faces a race against time to return to action before the curtain comes down on the domestic season.

His chances of making the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour to Australia this summer may well hinge on the speed of his recovery.

Scott Cummings has also been sidelined, the Glasgow lock having fractured his arm against Harlequins.

With Tuipulotu now unavailable, head coach Gregor Townsend has named Finn Russell and Rory Darge as co-captains of the squad, which kicks off this season’s Six Nations challenge at home to Italy on Saturday, February 1.