The 31-year-old scrum-half has vowed to appeal against suspension at a French league disciplinary hearing today.

But French Rugby Federation president Bernard Lapasset said Galthie would be dropped for the Lansdowne Road game regardless of the outcome of the hearing.

‘‘We want to set an example out of respect to the other teams in the Six Nations,’’ said Lapasset, who took the decision after consulting with France coach Bernard Laporte yesterday.

‘‘I’m sure the decision we have taken today reinforces the role we have in the Six Nations.’’

Galthie’s axeing leaves Christophe Laussucq of Stade Francais and Pau’s Philippe Carbonneau vying for a place in this weekend’s starting line-up.

Meanwhile Scotland’s injury problems reached critical point with the withdrawal of hookers Rob Russell and Steve Brotherstone ahead of the Six Nations Championship clash against Wales at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Russell, of Saracens, had originally been promoted as back-up to Gordon Bulloch, the first choice hooker after Brotherstone’s 11th-hour decision to pull out of the squad to play against France in Paris a fortnight ago.

But Brotherstone had responded well enough to treatment to be named on Monday in the Scotland A team to face Wales A in Edinburgh on Friday night.

But the revelation by Scotland forwards coach Hugh Campbell that both Russell and Brotherstone had suffered recurrences of their shoulder and knee injuries respectively, means that Edinburgh Reivers’ Steve Scott is propelled from second choice hooker with the A team to Bulloch’s understudy in the main squad.

Forwards coach Campbell said: ‘‘Russell has an on-going shoulder injury that has troubled him for some time.

‘‘It was evident this week that while he could perform some skills, he was unable to throw consistently well.

‘‘Brotherstone had hoped to play for Northampton last Saturday but decided he had not recovered sufficiently to play at the weekend.’’

But Campbell dismissed suggestions that Scotland’s plans had been severely disrupted as a result of the growing catalogue of injuries.

‘‘We are very fortunate to have a number of players in that position who could perform at international level — it is one area where we have strength in depth.’’

Campbell acknowledged that while Scott, the Edinburgh Reivers’ hooker, was inexperienced, he had previously been involved with Scotland.

‘‘Scott was with us in New Zealand and was capped as a replacement at Eden Park.

“He is familiar with the things we do. I believe he will fit in very well.

“I’m also happy at the way the four hookers are performing at the moment.’’

While not throwing caution to the wind, Campbell insisted Scotland had to get the scrum right against Wales.

‘‘I was unhappy at our inconsistency in Paris,’’ he said. ‘‘We scrummaged well at times against France, but also lost our focus at times.’’

Wales, he said, would offer a considerable threat.

‘‘Wales pose a significant threat in the scrum. At times, they drove England off the ball in Cardiff. They will test us severely in that area.’’

Meanwhile, Campbell confirmed that giant lock Richard Metcalfe had come through a rigorous training session on Monday and had been declared fit to play.

Metcalfe dislocated a finger in the 16-6 defeat to France and was replaced by Stuart Grimes. Metcalfe will once again partner Scott Murray in the second-row, with Grimes likely to be used mid-way through the second-half as an impact player.