Hadden won't rule out changing a winning team for visit of Italy

The Scotland head coach, who can add the fact all involved on Saturday emerged injury-free to his list of reasons to be cheerful, explained that the visit of Italy a week on Saturday will present unique challenges and that an unchanged starting XV is not a foregone conclusion.

"Selection is always tough, it's a complex process with many factors to consider," said Hadden. "Obviously we're selecting on the back of a very successful outing against Wales but we'll go over everything with a fine tooth comb. We always discuss every area of the team and realise any decisions made have knock-on implications.

"We'll leave no stone unturned until we're satisfied we've got the most effective use of our resources for that particular game."

The defeat of Wales has lifted spirits and with Italy the second of three straight home games in this year's championship there is optimism that Scotland can push on and keep themselves in the title race for as long as possible. Italy will be no pushovers, however, and Hadden now has the best part of a fortnight to analyse thoroughly an Azzurri outfit who, in losing 20-7 at Twickenham, gave England a far tougher match than the Scots had a week earlier.

"We haven't really thought about Italy yet," said Hadden yesterday. "I've watched them play twice obviously, but that's not the same as watching with the sort of detail that helps you plan how you're going to play against them or think about what team we're likely to select."

One area of the side likely to present the right kind of headache for the selectors is the second row. Jim Hamilton was much improved against the Welsh, Nathan Hines looked excellent when he came off the bench, Scott Murray returned to the starting line-up with a towering display and Alastair Kellock remains firmly in the frame despite missing out.

Murray must be confident that his inspirational 80-minute shift will have done enough to secure him his 82nd cap against the Italians, which will see him equal Gregor Townsend's Scottish record. However, Hadden stressed: "The record aspect won't have any bearing on our thinking. It will be down to what we think is the side required to do the business for us.

"But Scott certainly responded very well against Wales on Saturday and we were very pleased with his performance."

Meanwhile, Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara will miss training this week after sustaining an ankle injury in Sunday's agonising last-minute 20-17 defeat by France. O'Gara, who scored all of Ireland's points in Croke Park's dramatic Test rugby debut, finished the match only for his ankle to swell up shortly after the final whistle.

The Munster fly-half's availability for England's eagerly-anticipated visit to Dublin on 24 February is not in doubt but coach Eddie O'Sullivan revealed he will be rested this week as a precautionary measure.

"He must have gone over on it late in the match because he has no memory of it happening," said O'Sullivan. "It was a little bit sore after the game.

"We iced it and he was walking around okay but then last night it swelled up quite a bit. We're confident it's just a knock. The swelling has gone down and it's a lot better. But it's sensible not to put any pressure on it so he won't be training this week."

Skipper Brian O'Driscoll and scrum-half Peter Stringer, who missed Sunday's clash with hamstring and hand injuries respectively, will also return to training next Monday.

O'Sullivan said: "Brian and Peter will be fine for England - unless something unforeseen happens.

The plan is that they'll take full part in training next Monday. This week they'll continue their rehab."