Tuipulotu to miss three months but avoids surgerypublished at 14:02 1 March
Glasgow Warriors and Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu will be sidelined for up to three months, club head coach Franco Smith has confirmed.
The 27-year-old picked up a knee injury during the national team's weekend victory over England.
"Sione’s injury is not as bad as first feared," Smith said. "He’s going to be out 10-12 weeks, maybe even quicker, but we are conservative with it. No operation is needed, which is important."
Jamie Dobie returns to his more recognised scrum-half role days after signing a contract extension as Warriors visit Benetton in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday, but Smith praised the player's "versatility".
"We want to have the best players on the field and if you have a different skill set then why would someone miss out if they can offer something to the team just because they are doubling up in the same role," the head coach added.
"I think in the current way our squad is set up and obviously the depth in our squad, it’s important for us to think out of the box sometimes and allow our players to express themselves and contribute even in a different role."