Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Michael Scully

Scotland players 'disciplined' ahead of Ireland Six Nations game

Scotland's preparations for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Ireland were hit by six of their players being disciplined this week.

The SRU declined to name the players involved but it is alleged that Finn Russell, who was dropped as the starting out-half, and skipper Stuart Hogg were among those in the dock after breaching team protocols.

After returning from Rome last Saturday night, the six disobeyed head coach Gregor Townsend's orders by leaving the team hotel in Edinburgh to go to a bar, reports the Irish Mirror.

Read more: Friends of rugby legend Doddie Weir hit Belfast roads to raise £25,000

Russell has been replaced for the Aviva Stadium clash by Blair Kinghorn, who will make only his second start as a no 10 at Test level.

Racing star Russell had previously been disciplined by Townsend, ahead of the 2020 championship - and missed his side's opening loss in Dublin. He is on the bench on Saturday.

Along with Hogg, three others who were disciplined - Darcy Graham, Sam Johnson and Ali Price - will start as Ireland chase the victory that would earn them a first Triple Crown since 2018.

According to the BBC, the last player disciplined was Sione Tuipulotu, who wasn't selected in the matchday squad.

If Ireland are victorious and England beat France in Paris in the last game of the championship (8pm Irish time), Andy Farrell's men will claim the Six Nations crown.

If France prevail, they will celebrate Grand Slam success on home soil.

Read more: Ulster sign fly-half Jake Flannery on one-year deal

Read more: Ireland vs Scotland: Rob Herring insists there is no panic over scrum issues

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.