Scotland Faces Samoa Without Key Players: Jordan & Ritchie Join Graham on Injury List

Scotland's rugby team is set to face Samoa in their final summer tour game on Friday, but they will be without two more key players. Utility back Tom Jordan and flanker Jamie Ritchie have been ruled out due to injuries sustained in their recent match against Fiji. This comes after winger Darcy Graham was called up by the British and Irish Lions, further depleting Scotland's squad.

Injury Updates

Tom Jordan: Jordan played through pain in the Fiji match, only to discover afterward that he had suffered a hand fracture. "He's such a tough player," said Scotland coach Pete Horne. "He doesn't really complain about anything, but he had a bit of swelling in his hand. He went for a scan and an x-ray and he's actually got a fracture."
Jamie Ritchie: Ritchie picked up a foot injury during the same game, adding to Scotland's woes.

Available Players

Despite these setbacks, Scotland will have some positive news with forwards Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman available for the match. Additionally, Matt Fagerson has recovered from a knock and is fit to play. Back row Ben Muncaster and lock Gregor Brown are also back in training after missing the Fiji Test.

Impact on World Cup Rankings

Scotland's recent defeat by Fiji has dented their hopes of improving their world ranking, which is crucial for securing a top seed in the upcoming World Cup draw in December. However, coach Horne emphasized that head coach Gregor Townsend was fully supportive of the Lions' decision to call up Graham.

Lions' Strategy

"Gregor's a massive supporter of the Lions," Horne said. "If they'd needed them now, he'd have been all for them going away. But getting another game with us, I think is part of the Lions' plan. They were happy for them to play this weekend, and I think the fact that we're playing on a Friday definitely helps."

Looking Ahead

Scotland has no plans to call in late replacements, as the logistics of travel and jet lag would make it difficult for new players to integrate quickly. "We're pretty well covered, to be honest," Horne added. "We've got adequate cover across the backs. Training might be a little bit hampered, but I'm sure we'll be fine."