Edinburgh hooker Dave Cherry is given a surprise start as Stafford McDowall replaces injured captain Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre for Scotland's opening Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday.

Scotland has been dealt a major blow ahead of the Six Nations with captain Sione Tuipulotu ruled out of the rugby tournament because of injury.

Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe, Jonny Gray, Dave Cherry all start for Scotland in Six Nations; Scotland begin their campaign at home against Italy on Saturday February 1 (2.15pm kick-off); Gre

Finn Russell and Rory Darge will take on co-captaincy duties in Tuipulotu’s absence. The duo performed the same role during last year’s Six Nations. Stafford McDowall appears the most likely option to play alongside Huw Jones as Scotland’s centre combination.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is facing a pre-Six Nations sweat after key duo Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings emerged as injury concerns ahead of the championship. There is particular worry around the fitness of captain Tuipulotu,

Glasgow Warriors centre Stafford McDowall will start at inside centre for Scotland against Italy on Saturday in the

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu is ruled out of the Six Nations after he picked up an injury training with Glasgow Warriors.

Dave Cherry is a surprise starter for Scotland's Six Nations opener at home to Italy on Saturday. The Edinburgh hooker and Bordeaux lock Jonny Gray both earn their first caps in two years, while Stafford McDowall replaces injured captain and Glasgow team-mate Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre.

The Scotland captain's injury leaves a major hole, but who are the prime candidates to step in at centre for the Six Nations?

Cam Redpath, the Bath centre, will come into contention later in the tournament. He is nursing an unspecified leg injury but Townsend hopes he will be available for the third match, against England.

There have been a few surprise selections in the starting team and on the bench for this weekend’s match at Murrayfield.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations Championship after being hurt in training last week while lock Scott Cummings’ participation is in doubt after he broke his arm at the weekend,