Six Nations round three injury news: Scotland star Finn Russell to miss France clash

France vs. Scotland

• When: Saturday 23 February
• Where: Stade de France, Paris
• Start time: 2.15pm (GMT)
• TV channel: live on BBC One

Scotland will be without Finn Russell for the trip to France on Saturday after the fly-half was ruled out of the Six Nations clash because of a head injury.

The 26-year-old was injured on Sunday playing for his French club Racing 92 and despite being symptom-free on Monday Sky Sports reports that he has not cleared the concussion protocols.

A Scottish Rugby statement said: “The 26-year-old playmaker has not satisfied the requirements of today’s component of the graduated return to play protocol... meaning there is insufficient time for him to be considered for this weekend’s action.”

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who will name his team on Thursday morning, has called up Duncan Weir as cover for Russell. But full-back Stuart Hogg will not be available for selection in Paris after injuring his shoulder against Ireland in round two.

France have already named their side to play Scotland and included in the starting XV are 22-year-old scrum-half Antoine Dupont and 19-year-old fly-half Romain Ntamack.

They are two of four changes made by French coach Jacques Brunel. Full-back Thomas Ramos and flanker Wenceslas Lauret are also selected.

France team to face Scotland

• Starting XV: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont; 1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 3 Demba Bamba, 4 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 5 Félix Lambey, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 7 Arthur Iturria, 8 Louis Picamoles
• Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Etienne Falgoux, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Gregory Alldritt, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Maxime Médard

Wales vs. England

• When: Saturday 23 February
• Where: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
• Start time: 4.45pm (GMT)
• TV channel: live on BBC One and S4C

England lock Maro Itoje won’t be fit enough to face Wales in Cardiff because of a knee injury sustained against Ireland in round two.

The BBC reports that Joe Launchbury is expected to continue as a replacement for Saracens star Itoje.

Wales have been given a double boost after full-back Leigh Halfpenny and fly-half Dan Biggar returned to training. Halfpenny has been out since November because of concussion.

On Thursday England will name their team at 10.30am while Wales announce theirs at 12pm.

Saturday’s clash in Cardiff sees the last two remaining unbeaten teams in this year’s Six Nations go head-to-head.

Italy vs. Ireland

• When: Sunday 24 February
• Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
• Start time: 3pm (GMT)
• TV channel: live on ITV

Ireland flanker Rhys Ruddock is ruled out of clash against Italy in Rome because of a hamstring injury. However, centre Chris Farrell and lock Tadhg Beirne could feature on Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico.

Italy and Ireland are both expected to name their teams at around 1pm on Friday.