Duncan Weir to miss Six Nations after arm surgery

Duncan Weir kicks the ball upfield during the Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland in February 2014. Picture: Getty

The Glasgow Warriors, who gave Scotland a last-gasp victory over Italy in last year’s competition, took a knock on his arm during the 1872 Cup clash with Edinburgh at Scotstoun last month, with subsequent examination showing that he had severely damaged his bicep.

Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said that the injury suggested that Weir would be out of international action for the next three months.

Townsend added: “I would like to think it won’t be the end of his season, but I think it rules out the Six Nations.

“With a bicep injury you are talking months rather than weeks.”

Weir’s absence will leave Scotland coach Vern Cotter sweating, with former Glasgow Warriors player Ruaridh Jackson currently nursing a knee injury leaving cover for the fly-half position thin.

Finn Russell was preferred in the role during the Autumn Test series, with Peter Horne of Glasgow or Edinburgh’s Greig Tonks mooted as potential replacements for Weir.

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Weir’s Glasgow team-mate Stuart Hogg is also a doubt for the tournament, having sustained a hamstring injury earlier this week.

The full-back has had a scan already but Townsend is still awaiting a full prognosis, with Scotland’s Six Nations opener against France in Paris on February 7 just four weeks away.

However, Glasgow Warriors centre Mark Bennett, sidelined since November with a hamstring injury, is due to make a comeback ahead of schedule, and could face Montpellier later this month.

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