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Six Nations 2019: Hamish Watson out of Scotland opener as Gregor Townsend calls in reinforcements

Jonny Gray and Ryan Wilson will be monitored after picking up shoulder knocks with Sam Johnson suffering a concussion but all three should be fit to face Italy in two weeks’ time

Jack de Menezes

Monday 21 January 2019 16:09 GMT

Hamish Watson has been ruled out of the start of the Six Nations for Scotland (Reuters)

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has drafted in a number of reinforcements to his Six Nations squad after the final round of European group fixtures took its toll on his squad, with first-choice openside flanker Hamish Watson the biggest concern.

Watson proved key to Scotland’s performances last year but the Edinburgh back-row has withdrawn from the squad after suffering a suspected broken hand during Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup victory over Montpellier.

The 27-year-old was forced off during the impressive victory and head coach Richard Cockerill admitted it looked like a fractured hand, with a specialist scan on Monday set to determine the extent of the damage.

Townsend does not yet know if Watson will be back in contention for any of the championship, which begins on Friday 1 February, but he looks certain to miss the opening clash with Italy as well as the visit of defending champions Ireland to Murrayfield the following week at the very least and he is also likely to miss the trip to Paris on 23 February to face France.

Glasgow pair Jonny Gray and Ryan Wilson are also concerns after both suffered shoulder injuries in the defeat by Saracens on Saturday, while centre Sam Johnson suffered a concussion in the same match, leading to uncapped back-rows Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh) and Matt Smith (Glasgow) being added to the squad along with forward Rob Harley and centre Alex Dunbar (both Glasgow).

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

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1/15Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Cian Healy (Ireland)

Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ken Owens (Wales)

The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Kyle Sinckler (England)

Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Maro Itoje (England)

The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)

Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ellis Jenkins (Wales)

Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Mark Wilson (England)

Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking.

EPA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)

May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Owen Farrell (England)

Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Bundee Aki (Ireland)

The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

George North (Wales)

Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Israel Folau (Australia)

The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn.

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However, assistant coach Mike Blair insisted that both Gray and Wilson will be in contention for the opening weekend, and added that Gray had been able to train in a non-contact session to ease fears over the 47-cap lock.

"Definitely," Blair said. "They've got bumps and bruises and we will obviously wait to see how they clear up but at the moment it's not something that we would be hugely concerned with."

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