Scott Cummings will miss Scotland’s next Autumn Nations Series game against Portugal after an independent tribunal issued him with a one-week ban for the red card he received in the first half against South Africa last Sunday.
Cummings saw yellow in the first half for a “croc roll” on Franco Mostert and it was later upgraded to a 20-minute red card according to a new rule that is being trialled.
Scotland pushed South Africa for large spells of the match but eventually lost 32-15 at Murrayfield.
Tuesday’s independent tribunal determined the red card for Cummings was justified but deemed that “whilst reckless, the low-range entry point of two weeks was appropriate with the full 50% mitigation applied”.
The fact that Cummings has an “exemplary disciplinary record” and also showed “remorse” was also taken into account.
However, the ruling means the 27-year-old will be unavailable for the visit of Portugal to the Scottish capital.
Townsend is also without Jack Dempsey, Max Williamson and Gregor Brown, the Glasgow trio ruled out through injury.
Scotland will be looking to bounce back from a valiant loss to South Africa. The hosts let several try-scoring chances slip, especially in the second half, as hopes of a potential upset were eventually extinguished by the back-to-back world champions.
They will be expected to beat Portugal ahead of a mouth-watering clash against Australia to round of their Autumn Nations Series campaign.