Jamie George limped off with a hamstring problem in the latter stages of Saracens' 32-24 Champions Cup defeat at Castres, leaving the England hunk in doubt for a miserable week.
Replaced as England captain by club team-mate Maro Itoje when Steve Borthwick named his Six Nations squad on Tuesday, he then picked up an injury at the StoneX Stadium which puts him in doubt against Ireland on February 1.
George got into the front row for two Theo Dan tries in the 55th minute, but was forced into the finish line, with Saracens unable to indicate the extent of the damage.
“Jamie has injured his hamstring. We're not really sure how serious that hamstring is at the moment,” director of rugby Mark McCall said.
George limped off with an injury against Castres in the Champions Cup, although he only came on as a substitute
George's late withdrawal and Toby Knight's serious knee injury added to a frustrating afternoon in north London, where Castres finally won after 21 consecutive defeats away from home in the Champions Cup.
The defeat was damaging for Saracens as the defeat saw them draw in the last 16 and must now travel to face Toulon.
“It was a really poor performance from our side. Castres fully deserved to win the game and we got what we deserved, which is hard to say,” McCall said.
“For some reason, our mentality wasn't quite right, and that's down to me and the coaches. It was a really disappointing day. Castres definitely delighted us. They were really ready to play.
George was replaced as England captain earlier this week by club teammate Maro Itoje
“We had a lot of the ball but we were poor with it and they defended against us comfortably. Then they struck when the opportunities presented themselves. It was such a disappointing day.
“All 15 players they brought in have played in the last five weeks, just not together.
“It wasn't a pack of kids, they were real rugby players and we tried to pass that on to the team. We just weren't quite there mentally.”
Scotland captain Tuipulotu is also a doubt for the Six Nations with a chest injury
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend also faces a sweat ahead of the Six Nations after key duo Sione Tuipulotu and Scott Cummings emerged as injury concerns ahead of the championship.
Of particular concern is the fitness of captain Tuipulotu, who has suffered a pectoral injury, with Glasgow head coach Franco Smith hinting – but refusing to confirm – that he fears a long-term stint at centre-back.
The 27-year-old played no part in Saturday's Champions Cup defeat to Harlequins.
Asked for an update on Tuipulotu immediately after the game, Smith said: “He's had an assessment. I don't know to what extent yet.
“I think he might have hurt his chest. It was a weird injury. It just happened. We weren't suspicious of it, we just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything serious. But we'll have more clarity tomorrow.” “
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu suffered a chest injury in training with Glasgow
Asked how much of a blow it would be if Tuipulotu – expected to be part of the British and Irish Lions squad this summer – misses any or all of the Championship, Smith said little to ease concerns that the influential full-back faces a spell on the sidelines .
“It's not just about the player, but as a person and a player in our environment, he brings a lot of confidence to the people around him,” he said.
“So I think it will be a loss for everyone if it's that serious, but I still think he has enough of a season to contribute, so hopefully it's not such a serious injury that it's going to be a particularly long one.
“He will go to the camp in Scotland and will be managed by their medical team as well, so as a collective all the communication will be done when we clarify what the outcome will be.
“I'll just say I don't know right now, let's see what the result says.”