SCOTLAND and Edinburgh prop Willem Nel has been ruled out of the forthcoming Six Nations with a neck injury.

The tighthead sustained the knock during his club's European Challenge Cup win against Harlequins last Saturday and a scan today has confirmed fears that he won't be available for selection.

Nel has racked up 15 caps for Scotland since making his debut in August 2015, becoming a vital part of Vern Cotter's side.  

A Scottish Rugby statement on Friday read: "Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby prop Willem Nel has been ruled out of the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations with a neck injury it was confirmed today.

"A MRI scan on Wednesday (18 January) at Spire Murrayfield Hospital revealed that the tighthead prop damaged an intervertebral disc in his neck during a significant collision in his club’s European Challenge Cup win over Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday (14 January).

"Nel will now have a second specialist assessment at Spire this Monday (23 January) to consider his programme of recovery, including whether corrective surgery is required."