Scotland flyhalves Finn Russell and Adam Hastings will miss their upcoming Autumn Nations Cup games due to injury, head coach Gregor Townsend told the BBC.
Russell limped off with a groin injury to be replaced by Hastings in Scotland’s Six Nations win over Wales on Saturday, only for Hastings to injure his shoulder later on in the same game.
Hastings could be out for up to four months and will require surgery, meanwhile Russell returns to his club, Racing 92, where he will go through rehabilitation and could be fully healed within two months.
The severity of Hastings’ injury could mean he could miss next year’s Six nations, which starts in February.
“Finn [Russell] we hope will be back in time for the Six Nations, but it’s unlikely Adam [Hastings] will be back before the end of that tournament,” Townsend said.
“At the very best he’ll come back at the end, but that will depend on how things go.
“It’s obviously disappointing to lose two quality players like Finn and Adam, who had both been playing well. However, this provides an opportunity to other players come into the team and lead our attack.”
Townsend have recalled Sean Maitland and added Sam Hidalgo-Clyne to his squad after the injuries to Russell and Hastings.
Scotland begin their Nations Cup campaign in Pool B against Italy on Nov. 14, before facing France on Nov. 22 and Fiji on Nov. 28.