Scotland’s Second-Row Reshuffle: Who Steps Up After Cummings and Brown Injuries?

Scotland face a significant challenge ahead of their crucial Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin, with both starting second-row forwards Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings ruled out due to injury. This setback forces head coach Gregor Townsend to reshuffle his pack and find a new partnership in the engine room. Here’s a breakdown of the contenders and the likely scenarios.

Injuries Force Changes

The injuries to Brown (calf) and Cummings (hamstring) occurred during Scotland’s impressive 50-40 victory over France, a historic high-scoring affair in the Scotland-France rivalry. As reported by Rugbypass, both players were replaced during the match and have been deemed unfit for the Ireland game. Adam Hastings (shoulder), Nathan McBeth (ankle), Elliot Millar Mills (groin), and Duhan van der Merwe (ankle) have been ruled out and returned to their clubs for further assessment. Seb Stephen has also been released back to Glasgow.

Grant Gilchrist a Certain Starter

Edinburgh Rugby’s Grant Gilchrist, who replaced Brown against France, is widely expected to take one of the starting positions. Rugbypass notes that Gilchrist has adapted well to a bench role and has been a valuable asset off the bench in recent games.

The Contenders to Partner Gilchrist

The key question now is who will partner Gilchrist in the second row. Townsend has several options, each with their own strengths and weaknesses:

• Max Williamson (Glasgow Warriors): Williamson started in the win against Wales but was subsequently dropped for the match against France.
• Jonny Gray (Union Bordeaux Bègles): A seasoned international, Gray hasn’t played since the end of January, raising concerns about match fitness. A Gilchrist-Gray pairing might lack the necessary ball-carrying dynamism.
• Alex Craig (Glasgow Warriors): Craig hasn’t seen any game time in the current Six Nations championship but has been performing well for Glasgow, notably in wins against Toulouse and Saracens in December. He offers skill and a strong carrying threat.
• Alex Samuel (Glasgow Warriors): Samuel is a recent addition to the squad and a physically imposing player. It may be a significant ask to thrust him into a starting role so quickly.

Craig Emerges as the Frontrunner

Despite not featuring in the championship so far, Alex Craig appears to be the most likely candidate to join Gilchrist in the starting lineup. His recent performances for Glasgow, combined with his skillset and carrying ability, develop him a compelling choice. The BBC reports that Townsend has several second-row options available, including Craig, Gilchrist, Gray, Williamson, and Samuel.

New Lock Combination

Regardless of Townsend’s final decision, Scotland will be fielding their 15th different starting lock combination since 2024. This lack of consistency in the second row presents a challenge, but also an opportunity for new partnerships to emerge.

Replacements Called Up

To bolster the squad, Gregor Townsend has called up four players: Scarlets prop Alec Hepburn, Sale Sharks winger Arron Reed, and Glasgow pair Euan Ferrie and Alex Samuel. According to the BBC, these additions provide cover and competition as Scotland prepares for their match against Ireland.