article_snippet.sent: Edinburgh’s European Challenge Cup hopes have been dealt a huge blow after Scotland international centre Centre Matt Scott was ruled out until at least the end of the season.
article_snippet.sent: Centre Matt Scott had played a major role in Edinburgh’s run to the European Challenge Cup semi-final where the European Challenge Cup play Newport Gwent Dragons at BT Murrayfield on Friday.
article_snippet.sent: With Glasgow’s Alex Dunbar also a major fitness doubt for the European Challenge Cup, Centre Matt Scott ’s injury could leave Scotland coach Vern Cotter with a big gap to fill at centre.
article_snippet.sent: Mark Bennett of Glasgow will be first choice for outside-centre but Mark Bennett of Glasgow could be a fight between Peter Horne of Warriors and Duncan Taylor of Saracens, who missed the Six Nations through injury, for the inside-centre jersey.
article_snippet.sent: In a tweet, the Scotland and Edinburgh centre said:
article_snippet.sent: Edinburgh are short of cover in the centre positions and will now rely on New Zealander Phil Burleigh and South African Andries Strauss — who both started in the quarter-final away win over London Irish in the absence of Scott — from now until the end of the season.
article_snippet.sent: Scotland player Matt Scott in action during the RBS Six Nations match between against Ireland at Murrayfield is the only other experienced centre at the club.
article_snippet.sent: Without Scotland player Matt Scott in action during the RBS Six Nations match between against Ireland at Murrayfield and possibly Denton, Edinburgh will be less confident of overcoming the Dragons on Friday and reaching the Challenge Cup Final, where Scott and possibly Denton would play Gloucester or Exeter.