Scotland planned four changes for the Calcutta Cup game against England at Twickenham but were forced into a fifth this morning when Alex Dunbar suffered a serious knee injury in the final training session an hour before the team was announced.
The Glasgow Warriors centre suffered a injury to his left knee which could result in an extended spell on the sidelines and will be replaced by Edinburgh’s Matt Scott as Scotland seek to win at Twickenham for the first time in 32 years.
However losing Dunbar, a key defensive captain and a physical threat growing forward, is a significant blow to a Scottish team already without Richie Gray. The 25-year-old was taken to hospital for scans with the possibility he coiuld be out of contention for the World Cup if his ACL is damaged.
Vern Cotter had already made four changes from the team that lost to Italy a fortnight ago, recalling David Denton to No 8 and Jim Hamilton to the second row as the Scots look to beef up their pack for the English challenge. Ross Ford, despite back problems since the Italy game, has been passed fit.
In the backs Finn Russell as expected returns to fly-half after missing the Italy game through suspension, while Dougie Fife is preferred to Tim Visser to replace the injured Sean Lamont, with Sean Maitland not considered as he returns from injury.
Scotland will risk going with just two backs on the bench, having both Adam Ashe and Johnnie Beattie as replacements.
Scotland team: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors); Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors); Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester, capt); Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (both Edinburgh Rugby), Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors); Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors); Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan (London Irish), David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby).
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Ryan Grant (both Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (London Irish), Tim Swinson, Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Castres Olympique), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Greig Tonks (both Edinburgh Rugby).