Scotland will be without flanker John Barclay for their Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday due to a freak hand injury.
Ireland v Scotland, Saturday February 23, 5pm.
Scotland will be without flanker John Barclay for their Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday after suffering a freak hand injury over the weekend.
Barclay suffered his injury at a dinner party, when a friend sat on a glass he was holding in his hand.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden had been monitoring Barclay's condition closely, but after a further training session the 21-year-old was ruled out of the Dublin game.
Allister Hogg will now feature at number seven, in Barclay's absence, with Kelly Brown at number eight and uncapped Edinburgh flanker Ross Rennie, 21, named on the bench.
"It's bad luck for John and we wish him a speedy recovery," said Hadden.
"While the door closes for one, it opens for another.
"It's a golden opportunity for Ross Rennie who has consistently put his hand up and demanded to be considered by the quality of his performances."
Honour
Rennie looks certain to feature from the bench after Hadden intimated that he would utilise all 22 members of his squad in Dublin.
Rennie added: "I didn't think I was going to get a look in this year, to tell you the truth. Obviously, I'm delighted to be named on the bench and if I do get on it would be a great honour, and a great moment.
"It's been really easy coming into the squad, everyone has been really accommodating. I've been in and out of the training squad over the past few weeks and I know a lot of the players pretty well.
"It's really unfortunate what's happened to John, very sad. But I've been lucky enough to be given this opportunity so I have to try and make something of it. The main thing is to try and get a win."
