Scotland
Scotland's Dunbar ruptures knee ligaments
PA Sport
March 12, 2015
Scotland centre Alex Dunbar could miss the World Cup © Getty Images
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Scotland centre Alex Dunbar is in danger of missing out on this year's World Cup after a training ground accident left him with ruptured knee ligaments.

The Glasgow back was due to start against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

But the Scottish Rugby Union has announced he will now sit out the rest of the championships and potentially this year's World Cup - due to kick off south of the border on September 18 - after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Matt Scott has now taken the 24-year-old's slot for this weekend's battle with England while Dunbar faces up to the reality it will be six to nine months before he can think about adding to his 14 caps.

He was taking part in the team's final training session at Murrayfield before jetting south to London when he fell to the turf clutching his knee.

Dunbar was rushed to the near-by Spire Murrayfield Hospital for a scan but the results only confirmed Scotland head coach Vern Cotter's worst fears.

But Cotter hopes Dunbar's set-back will unite his men. He said: "I think we can improve. We lost a bit of momentum after the Wales game with Finn [Russell] being suspended and Richie [Gray] getting injured.

"We've got other injuries as well. Sean [Lamont] is down too. But the guys are adapting. There is a lot of character in the team.

"There is a real desire to do well and we've got this Calcutta Cup game to look forward to.

"We've lost Alex Dunbar just before we got on the plane but I think it has tightened the team up and that's important for the Clan-ish nature of this game and this group of individuals."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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