Grant Gilchrist to miss Scotland’s Six Nations opener after getting one-week ban

Grant Gilchrist will miss Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales after being handed a one-week suspension.

The 33-year-old Edinburgh lock was banned following an independent disciplinary hearing arising from the EPCR Challenge Cup round four match at Scarlets.

Gilchrist was sent off by referee Sara Cox in the 72nd minute following a second yellow card for dangerous tackles and will not be available for the trip to Cardiff on February 3, albeit there is scope to appeal.

Edinburgh released a statement which read: “An independent judicial officer, Gareth Graham (England), who conducted the case on a papers only basis, found that Gilchrist had committed two similar offences in that he made two dangerous tackles that both warranted yellow cards.

“The judicial officer decided that an appropriate sanction entry point for the offending was one week, however, despite the player’s acceptance of the charge and his full co-operation with the disciplinary process, mitigation could not be applied in this instance as any period of suspension has to be rounded up to a whole number of weeks.

“A suspension of one week was therefore imposed and as Gilchrist would have been considered for selection for Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations match against Wales on Saturday 3 February, he is free to play on Monday 5 February.

“Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”