Scotland have received a further blow to their preparations for Saturday's clash with Ireland with the news that flanker John Barclay has been ruled out due to the freak hand injury he sustained at the weekend.
Barclay suffered his injury at a dinner party, when a friend sat on a glass he was holding in his hand.
Head coach Frank Hadden, who is also without captain Jason White, delayed a decision on Barclay's involvement when announcing his team yesterday, but came to the conclusion after a further training session that the 21-year-old would have to miss the game at Croke Park.
Allister Hogg will feature at number seven, in Barclay's absence, with Kelly Brown at number eight and uncapped Edinburgh flanker Ross Rennie, 21, named on the bench.
"It's bad luck for John and we wish him a speedy recovery," said Hadden. "While the door closes for one, it opens for another. It's a golden opportunity for Ross Rennie who has consistently put his hand up and demanded to be considered by the quality of his performances."
Meanwhile, loosehead prop Cian Healy will be replaced by Munster's Darragh Hurley in the Ireland A team for Friday's match against Scotland in Perth.
Healy suffered a neck injury in training yesterday and was withdrawn as a precaution. The replacement hooker position will be determined following a disciplinary hearing due to take place tonight regarding a citing against Adrian Flavin. If Flavin is ruled out, John Fogarty will be named in the squad.
