Six Nations 2025: Scotland call up Alex Masibaka of Angouleme
Magnus Bradbury is on hiatus, the impressive Ben Muncaster is injured, and the other qualified players are raw youth.
Bayliss’ withdrawal means Townsend has now lost four of his original squad from January 15 – Siobhan Tupuloto, Dylan Richardson, Scott Cumming – throughout the tournament Si and now Bayliss.
Before he named that squad, he was already without Kyle Steyn, Adam Hastings, Max Williamson, Andy Christie ) and Muncaster.
The majority of these nine players will be a certainty in the starting XV, or possibly the matchday squad.
There are also concerns for Jonny Gray, who has only played three games since the end of October and none since mid-December.
The lock is expected to make a comeback against Lyon on Saturday but Bordeaux feels he is not fit to feature.
He may be fit enough to face Italy on Saturday but there must be concern about his intensity against the Six Nations lasting too long.
Townsend is likely to be selected in the second row cover, ahead of an increasingly challenging start to his eighth country as coach.
