Six Nations
Nick de Luca injury blow for Scotland
ESPN Staff
January 11, 2013
Scotland centre Nick de Luca, Scotland v New Zealand, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, November 11, 2012
Nick de Luca started sevens Test for Scotland last year © PA Photos
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Players/Officials: Nick de Luca
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations | Heineken Cup | RaboDirect PRO12
Teams: Edinburgh | Scotland

Scotland have been dealt a big blow on the eve of their Six Nations campaign with the news that centre Nick de Luca is set to miss the entire championship due to an eye injury.

The Edinburgh player suffered a fractured eye socket during a training session last month and following surgery on the injury he is expected to be out of action for 'around two months'. As a result the 28-year-old, who started nine of the Scots' 11 games last year, is highly unlikely to add to his 38 Test caps during the Six Nations.

"The damage required time to settle for full assessment," his club explained in a statement. "It was deemed that the operation would be the best course of action to support the quickest return to playing."

De Luca's progress will monitored by Edinburgh medical staff in the coming weeks while interim Scotland coach Scott Johnson must look elsewhere to fill the void in his midfield options ahead of their opening clash against England at Twickenham on February 2. De Luca's Edinburgh team-mate Matt Scott and Glasgow's Max Evans started Scotland's last game - an embarrassing home defeat to Tonga.

Scotland's injury headache extends to two other Edinburgh players - hooker Ross Ford and flanker Ross Rennie. Ford suffered a shoulder injury in the 23-14 RaboDirect PRO12 loss to Glasgow last month while Rennie is still recovering from dislocated shoulder suffered in Scotland opening autumn international defeat to New Zealand.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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