The fitness and availability of Irish tight-head John Hayes and reserve prop Marcus Horan will be made known today, with Hayes's back and hip problems apparently the bigger concern, though the Ireland management will be keen to give Hayes, a key cog in the set pieces, every opportunity.

Although additional props have been called in for training over the last couple of days, the position appears less worrisome with regard to Horan's shoulder strain.

Scotland also have injury concerns, with Cameron Mather named in their back row yesterday pending tests today on the chest and shoulder problems sustained against France on Sunday.

Coach Matt Williams has decided to return Chris Paterson to full back from outhalf, where the Australian-born Don Parks (who qualifies by dint of a Scottish grandmother) makes his first start after three appearances as a replacement.

Derrick Lee is moved to the bench after his unfortunate display against the French. Bruce Douglas replaces Robbie Russell at tight-head.

"We have lost our last four so, in terms of confidence, obviously we're not bubbling," admitted Williams. "We've been working very hard but the sad thing is we're falling below the standards we expected.

"I feel sorry for the players, because they're very dedicated but I've said to them that the win will come but it will take time."

SCOTLAND: C Paterson (Edinburgh, captain); S Danielli (Bath), T Philip (Edinburgh), A Henderson (Glasgow), S Webster (Edinburgh); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (The Borders); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), G Bulloch (Glasgow), B Douglas (The Borders), S Murray (Edinburgh), S Grimes (Newcastle Falcons), J White (Sale Sharks), S Taylor (Edinburgh Rugby), Cameron Mather (Glasgow) or Allister Hogg (Edinburgh).

Replacements: R Russell (Saracens), G Kerr (Leeds), N Hines (Edinburgh), A Hogg (Edinburgh) or Jon Petrie (Glasgow), M Blair (Edinburgh), B Laney (Edinburgh), D Lee (Edinburgh).