Six Nations: Jon Welsh called into Scotland squad as front row hit by injury

Scotland’s scrum struggled badly against France last week when hooker Ross Ford and prop Geoff Cross had to be replaced, and it was expected that the return of Euan Murray would strengthen Robinson’s options in the front row. Murray did not feature against France or in the previous game against Wales because he chooses not to play on Sundays through his Christian faith. But the Newcastle tighthead trained on his own yesterday rather than taking a full part in the squad session - as did Ford.

Meanwhile, two more front row players, Glasgow Warriors prop Ed Kalman (stitches above his eye) and hooker Dougie Hall (shoulder bruising), are recovering from injuries sustained in their RaboDirect PRO12 match against the Ospreys on Friday.

Another concern is back row player Richie Vernon, who requires treatment for a shoulder injury he sustained in Sale Sharks’ match at Exeter on Saturday.

Other injury victims are half-backs Mike Blair (dead leg) and Greig Laidlaw (concussion) and flanker John Barclay (dead leg), but all three are both making good progress from the bumps and bruises they sustained against France last week.

The players who were on duty for the French international – minus broken leg victim Rory Lamont – were joined for training yesterday afternoon by Welsh and his clubmates Robert Harley and Ruaridh Jackson, as well as by Murray, Castres winger Max Evans and highly-rated young Edinburgh centre Matt Scott.

In addition, Edinburgh No 8 Stuart McInally was also with the squad though he had to rest yesterday afternoon as he has a hamstring injury.

At least one change from the loss to Les Bleus is certain when Robinson announces his team fro Dublin today, because of Lamont’s broken leg.

The absence of the Glasgow Warriors back could result in a straightforward swap – with Nick De Luca coming in at outside centre and Sean Lamont moving to the wing, as happened against France.

The alternative is numerous changes in a bid to get the back line to fire, with centre De Luca likely to start as Joe Ansbro is yet to return for London Irish following a back injury.

Evans could return on the wing or at outside centre after missing the France game with an ankle problem, and being found not guilty of assault after a five-day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

Wing Lee Jones and full-back Stuart Hogg are likely to continue after notching their debut tries against Les Bleus, while Graeme Morrison is again set to start at inside centre.

Laidlaw is likely to continue at fly-half providing he has met the concussion protocols. Jackson and Duncan Weir are in contention for the reserve place.

The defeat against France last week extended Scotland’s winless streak to five Tests for the first time since 2004 and gave Robinson a record of two wins from 13 Six Nations matches in charge.

With speculation rife about Robinson’s future in the role of head coach – despite having a contract until after the 2015 World Cup – the players can help to clarify matters by this week emulating their only win of the 2010 Six Nations with victory in Dublin. On that occasion – Ireland’s last Test at Croke Park before returning to their Aviva Stadium home at Lansdowne Road – Scotland triumphed with a stirring display to avoid the wooden spoon.

Two years on, Scotland again travel across the Irish Sea in search of a first win of the tournament, with the possibility of a Wooden Spoon decider in Italy on 17 March unless victory is claimed.

Ireland lost captain Paul O’Connell yesterday to ligament damage, and have now lost two Lions captains in their ill-fated 2012 Six Nations campaign, with Brian O'Driscoll unavailable after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Ulster hooker Rory Best is the favourite to lead the Irish against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, and Donnacha Ryan is in pole position to replace O’Connell at lock. The Ireland team will be named tomorrow.