'A massive loss for Scotland' - concern grows over Sione Tuipulotu injury as centre options dwindle

The Glasgow Warriors centre suffered an upper body injury while training with his club and an update on his condition is expected early this week.

Scotland open their championship campaign against Italy at Murrayfield a week on Saturday and concern is growing over Tuipulotu’s availability.

Fellow centre Currie will join up with the Scotland squad on Monday after helping Edinburgh defeat Black Lion of Georgia in the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

“I've not heard a huge amount about Sione's injury or how serious it is,” said Currie after scoring a try in the 36-15 win at Hive Stadium. “He will be a massive loss for Scotland. He's playing some unbelievable rugby at the minute and he's obviously captain, so it is a big loss but I'm not too sure what that means for the rest of the centres.”

Tuipulotu and his Glasgow team-mate Huw Jones are Scotland’s first-choice midfield pairing but there are three other centres in Gregor Townsend’s Six Nations squad: Currie, Stafford McDowall and Rory Hutchinson. Bath’s Cam Redpath was ruled out with a leg injury.

Currie, 23, who made his Scotland debut against Canada last summer and was also involved in the autumn internationals, now hopes to impress Townsend in training.

“It's the first Six Nations squad I've been involved in so I'm hugely grateful for that opportunity,” he said. “You don't know if you're going to get game-time but I'll just try and put my best foot forward.”

Scotland are also waiting on an update on Scott Cummings after the Glasgow forward injured his arm in the loss to Harlequins in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday night.