When everybody at Glasgow – and at Murrayfield – talk vaguely, or not at all, when asked about Sione Tuipulotu’s injury, you get a feeling that bad news is on the way.
All of Scotland waits with bated breath for the official prognosis.
Tuipulotu is one of the form inside-centres in the world game; a captain, a physical brute, an artist, an inspiration to his team. If he’s missing some, or all, of the Six Nations then a chunk of optimism about Scotland’s campaign is going to go with him.
His partnership with Huw Jones is a cosmic blend. Now it looks like an alternative is needed.
Jones and Tom Jordan does not pack enough physical punch. Franco Smith never plays them together at 12-13 for Glasgow.
Most likely, it is going to be another Warriors pair, Stafford McDowall and Jones, in the midfield in the championship.
That is still a forceful and dynamic unit, but the potential loss of the big man is a nightmare on many fronts.
As for Tuipulotu’s fitness for the Lions, let us just presume that whatever time he misses in the Six Nations he will still have time enough to get himself roaring again for the summer in Australia.
