Scotland rugby star Dave Cherry sent home from World Cup after freak injury – and replaced by PILOT

A BIZARRE injury to Dave Cherry has handed Stuart McInally the chance to end his Scotland career on a World Cup high.

Cherry suffered a head knock SLIPPING on the stairs in the team’s hotel in France.

And due to concussion protocols that means the Edinburgh hooker can’t play for a fortnight.

He has been sent back home to recover, with his World Cup now over.

He said: “I’m hugely disappointed to be leaving the squad with concussion.

“I’ve loved my time in camp over the summer and gaining my first World Cup cap on Sunday against South Africa.

“I want to wish the team all the best for the remainder of the competition.”

A Scottish Rugby statement added: “David Cherry suffered a concussion after an accident in the team hotel earlier this week and is now following the current return to play protocols.

“This means he is unavailable for at least the next 12 days.

“The decision was therefore taken to end his tournament involvement on medical grounds after he injured his head on Monday, slipping on hotel stairs, on a team day off.”

McInally was already in France on standby due to an injury to another hooker, Ewan Ashman.

Now the Edinburgh No 2 has a chance to make one final impression as Gregor Townsend’s men look to bounce back from their opening loss to South Africa at the weekend.

Their next game is a week on Sunday when they take on Tonga.

The man known as Rambo is set to quit rugby to become a pilot – and thought he had played his last game for Scotland when he was left out of the original squad.

The hooker, 32, has already picked up his private pilot’s licence and will take to the skies on a full-time basis working for a commercial airline.

The ex-Scotland skipper said: “It was really tough knowing this was the moment to move on.

“I always thought it would be really easy to retire because I’ve always known what I want to do after rugby – become a pilot.

"I feel ready, and this is such an exciting opportunity.

“I's drive under a flight path every morning on my journey into Murrayfield and so often see planes landing at Edinburgh Airport."

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page