Six Nations 2024: Jamie Ritchie faces ‘challenge’ to retain Scotland captaincy, says head coach Gregor Townsend

Townsend named his squad for the 2024 Six Nations on Tuesday.

In his 39-strong select, the Scotland head coach says he has no shortage of candidates to replace Ritchie, who missed Edinburgh’s defeat by Gloucester with a jaw issue on Saturday, if he elects not to retain him as captain.

“Our leadership group, I’d imagine we’ll produce a captain from that if it’s not Jamie,” said Townsend, who is preparing for his seventh Six Nations as Scotland boss.

“Rory Darge, we’ll know at the weekend if he’s available for the Six Nations. He was captain against Italy [in the 2023 Six Nations], Finn Russell was captain against France, Grant Gilchrist was captain against Romania [in the World Cup] and has captained the side before.

“Sione Tuipulotu is in our leadership group and has captained Glasgow, so we have leaders in our squad. Kyle Steyn has been Glasgow captain too.

“We’re leaving it for a week, that’s really about Jamie and seeing where he is.”