Gregor Townsend says Scotland “have to be able to cope with injuries” after losing Sione Tuipulotu for the Six Nations.

Rory Darge and Finn Russell will step in as co-captains with Glasgow Warriors centre Tuipulotu to have pectoral muscle surgery and expected back by the end of the domestic season, keeping his British and Irish Lions hopes alive.

“It’s more the blow for him,” said Townsend. “We really feel for him.

“We had three players that got injured and, when it’s so close to the tournament, it’s obviously really disappointing.

“For the team, you have to be able to cope with injuries. They’re going to happen leading up to a tournament, but also they’re going to happen within the tournament.”