Wednesday 15 February 2017 16:36, UK
Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw has been ruled out for the rest of the Six Nations.
Laidlaw led Scotland to a superb victory over Ireland on the opening weekend of this year's tournament, before Sunday's narrow defeat to France in Paris.
The scrum-half was hurt just 23 minutes into the game, and left the Stade de France on crutches.
He returned to his club side Gloucester for an assessment, and doctors have confirmed ligament damage and that he will play no further part in the tournament.
There is no news yet on how long the medical team expect Laidlaw to be sidelined for, but the news is a huge blow to the Scots, who started the Six Nations so positively.
He was not only their scrum-half and captain but a hugely reliable kicker. Finn Russell is likely to take over kicking duties in his absence with Glasgow's Ali Price - who replaced him in Paris - in pole position to start at No 9 in Scotland's next game at home to Wales on 25 February.
Coach Vern Cotter will also have to appoint a new captain. Flanker John Barclay took over the armband when Laidlaw limped off against Les Bleus, but was soon himself replaced after suffering a head knock.
Jonny Gray became the Scots' third skipper of the day when Barclay was replaced and has long been tipped as a future national team captain.
A statement from the SRU said: "A scan undertaken at his club, Gloucester, confirmed the clinical suspicion that the 58-times capped scrum-half sustained ligament damage midway through the first half.
"The extent of the damage is such that he will take no further part in the current championship.
"Laidlaw will see a specialist later in the week to determine the best course of management and estimated time out of the sport."
