Rugby: Scotland stitch score is 48-4 in favour of Strokosch

PROOF that flanker Alasdair Strokosch has a hard head – and considerably harder than that of team-mate Joe Ansbro – came from the Scotland camp in Sydney yesterday, when it emerged that the winger needed 48 stitches in the wound he sustained in the celebrations at the end of Tuesday’s 9-6 win over Australia.

That Ansbro’s clash of heads with Strokosch during the post-match melee, an instant hit on YouTube, left the London Irish player requring such treatment says something about the coconut on top of Paisley-born Strokosch’s shoulders. He only needed four stitches in his wound.

It also put a question mark over Ansbro’s participation in Scotland’s next tour Test against Fiji in eight days time.

There were nine players who reported to the SRU medical staff after Tuesday’s match, the majority with the usual soft tissue injuries that are the result of any full-blooded Test match. And, in response to requests for further updates on the walking wounded, SRU doctor James Robson issued the following statement on the injuries inflicted – or self-inflicted – during the victory in Newcastle.

“All players injured in Newcastle are making progress and there will be a further review tomorrow to see who can return to training.

“At this stage, Ross Ford (thigh bruising) will be doing rehab running tomorrow [Friday], while Alasdair Strokosch (head wound) will return to team training tomorrow morning. Both Sean Lamont (ribs) and Joe Ansbro (head wound) will be subject to ongoing treatment and will be further assessed tomorrow.

So it appears that coach Andy Robinson will probably have close to a full squad to pick from against Fiji, Scotland enjoying the luxury of an 11-day turnaround after the NSW Waratah’s cancelled their fixture.