Paterson ruled out of Tour

Fullback Chris Paterson suffered a triple fracture of his right cheekbone during Scotland’s 38-3 Test victory over Samoa in Wellington.

Paterson has been given clearance to return with the team to Australia overnight UK time because the swelling remains too bad for specialists in Wellington to operate.

It was to be an “uncomfortable” but not unsafe flight for Paterson, who will have a further consultation with another specialist on his return to Sydney and undergo corrective surgery once the swelling has subsided.

Scotland doctor James Robson described the injury as “similar but worse” than the triple fracture suffered by fullback Robbie Kydd in last weekend’s opening tour game against Queensland.

Paterson will be the fifth player to be ruled out of the tour in seven days that Robson, who has also worked on British and Irish Lions tours, described as the busiest he has known.

Kydd underwent surgery on his cheek in Brisbane earlier this week, Scotland lost Cameron Mather to a twisted ankle, promising centre Tom Philip ruptured knee ligaments while Euan Murray failed to shake a thigh injury.

Scotland coach Matt Williams was flying back to Sydney ahead of the players and no decision was to be taken on a latest replacement until he and assistant coach Todd Blackadder arrived.

Paterson had contributed 11 points from the boot before leaving the field after 63 minutes having taken a blow to the face at the breakdown.

The hopes had been that Paterson suffered nothing more than a displacement of the cheek, which would not have ended his tour.

But scans taken immediately after the game revealed the full extent of the injury and news Scotland could ill-afford to hear as they begin preparations for back-to-back Tests against Australia.

Paterson’s injury took the gloss of an impressive display against Samoa in which the confidence, savaged by six successive Test defeats, returned as Scotland ran in five tries and defended their line resolutely.