Kydd's tour is over

Full-back Robbie Kydd was today ruled out of Scotland’s Australasian tour with a fractured cheekbone suffered just 20 minutes into his debut against the Queensland Reds.

Kydd, who was born in Auckland but now plays for Saracens and qualifies through his Scottish father, collided with Queensland winger Scott Barton and was today walking around the team base hiding his shiner behind a pair of shades.

“Robbie had a head clash that was a pure accident,” said Scotland coach Matt Williams.

It is a disappointing way for Kydd’s first Scotland tour to end and he will fly home just as soon as medics allow.

Williams will not be calling on any replacements for Kydd just yet, though there is to be one change in the party with prop Euan Murray forced to leave for home after failing to shake off a thigh injury.

Rotherham tighthead prop Colin Noon, 28, has been named as Murray’s replacement and will arrive into the Gold Coast on Monday with Scotland’s new assistant coach Willie Anderson.

With Todd Blackadder still on board, the former Ireland captain joins the tour primarily in an observatory capacity, though Williams has encouraged him to make an input at training.

There remains plenty of work to do on the training field after an inexperienced Scotland side were shredded 41-5 by Queensland yesterday.

The tourists have a quick turnaround, with a second tour game against NSW Country on Wednesday before the first Test of the trip, against Samoa in Wellington, two days later.