Glasgow Warriors will be without Scotland hooker George Turner for the next two months, but head coach Franco Smith is delighted to have Sione Tuipulotu available for the trip to Harlequins
Turner, first choice for Scotland throughout the Six Nations, was a surprise omission from Glasgow’s team to play Harlequins in the Champions Cup tomorrow.
Smith said he has been battling a broken bone in his foot that could keep him out for up to eight weeks.
The Glasgow head coach said: “He’s going to be out for a long time. He came back from the Six Nations injured.
"He had a scan about 10 days ago and they found a little hairline fracture in his foot.”
Smith then revealed Turner, who has 45 caps for his country, played the final match of the Six Nations against Ireland in Dublin with the injury.
“He played the last game against Ireland with that foot already injured,” Smith added. “It’s going to take a while before we see him.”
Smith put Turner’s injury down to “overuse” and explained why he played for Scotland without the problem being picked up.
“Sometimes players think it’s just a bruise and it develops into something more, especially those small hairline and stress fractures. It’s overuse
“You cope and then when you have the scan it’s diagnosed and then obviously the picture changes.”
The injury will test Glasgow’s depth at hooker with Fraser Brown also sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
Smith will have to rely on his try machine Johnny Matthews, who starts against Harlequins, while Gregor Hiddleston – his replacement at The Stoop tomorrow and Angus Fraser are the other hookers in the Warriors wider squad.
The Glasgow boss admits he could do with Turner’s experience for the latter stages of the campaign.
“We obviously want him ready for the rest of the season as soon as possible. We’ve got Fraser Brown already not available in that role so it’s important to have [Turner] back fit as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Tuipulotu will make his return from the knee injury he picked up during the Calcutta Cup win.
Glasgow's head coach is confident the centre will be ready to go head-to-head with Quins' Springbok inside centre Andre Esterhuizen.
READ MORE: Sione Tuipulotu makes injury comeback for Glasgow
His inclusion means Tom Jordan - who has deputised in the number 12 jersey, shifts back to his more regular fly-half position.
Smith said: "I’m very excited to have him back. It was always going to be touch and go like I said last week.
"It does allow us to think a little bit differently in certain roles here, so it comes at the right time as these are three very important games for us going forward. So yes, good to have him.”
Another of Glasgow's international contingent, Huw Jones – whose partner Annabel gave birth to a baby girl this week - is also on Glasgow’s injury list as he recovers from an operation on a hand injury also suffered during the Six Nations.
When asked to put timescales on their return, Smith said they would be out for at least two months.
That means they might make it back for the URC play-offs, which the Warriors are well-placed to reach, but the pair may both miss the rest of the Champions Cup campaign if Glasgow progress against Quins this weekend.
READ MORE: Huw Jones injury details as Franco Smith explains hand problem
Smith said: “It is all on how he reacts to treatment that shortens or lengthens the time, which is the same with Huw Jones.”
Lock Richie Gray, another Scotland international, is still a number of weeks away from being fit after picking up an arm injury against Wales two months ago.
Smith said he would not be available for a potential Champions Cup quarter-final next weekend.
Smith added: "If it’s about return to play, then maybe, but if it’s about return to form then I think we’re still a slight distance away.
“He’s an older player now and I don’t want to risk injury towards the end of the season, and in that role specifically having JP [du Preez] already injured.
“Yes, we want him back as soon as we can but not to the detriment of his health. We want him in his best form going forward.”
In Gray's absence, Max Williamson will make his first European start in the second row after some impressive URC performances recently.
Smith praised the "rugged" 21-year-old, who trained with the national team during the Six Nations.
He added: “We always said we were going to bring the young Scottish guys through.
"I think Max physically developed really well: his knowledge around the game and the way he applies himself in the game earned him the opportunity to start in this game.
"He represents the working-class mentality that we have here: a hard worker, a grafter, somebody that does the dirty work."
READ MORE: Glasgow lock Max Williamson delighted with Scotland call
Smith also provided a more promising injury update on Argentina wing Sebastian Cancelliere, who misses out this weekend with a knee problem.
Smith said: “It’s not a long-term injury - it’s not a three-month or a six-week injury. It’s just some bone bruising: nothing that can’t heal in a couple of weeks.”
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