Scots lock Grant Gilchrist set to miss Six Nations

Scotland forward Grant Gilchrist looks set to miss next year’s Six Nations after suffering a setback with the groin injury he picked up at the Rugby World Cup.
The Edinburgh Rugby lock Grant Gilchrist requires surgery. Picture: Ian RutherfordThe Edinburgh Rugby lock Grant Gilchrist requires surgery. Picture: Ian Rutherford
The Edinburgh Rugby lock Grant Gilchrist requires surgery. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The 25-year-old Edinburgh lock, who had only recently returned from a broken arm, had his tournament ended when he was hurt in the second pool game against the United States. He was initially hopeful of returning to action last month but a second scan revealed the problem was more complex and required surgery.

Gilchrist’s club coach Alan Solomons said yesterday: “It’s difficult to tell with these things but we’re talking months not weeks.

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“You try to deal with the thing conservatively but we got to the stage where it was felt by the specialist that it was best to operate. He’s a little bit uncomfortable and on crutches but we have a great medical team here and they’ll get him back as soon as they can.”

Scotland open their Six Nations campaign against England at BT Murrayfield on 6 February and it looks unlikely Gilchrist will play any part in the tournament.

Last year the 12-times capped forward was named as national coach Vern Cotter’s captain for the November Tests but he broke his arm in a European Challenge Cup match against Lyon and missed that series and the rest of the season.