Scotland hooker Ross Ford should still make the next RBS 6 Nations match against Wales despite seeing a plastic surgeon for facial injuries sustained in the epic win over Ireland on Sunday.
The former skipper needed multiple stitches after coming off after 50 minutes during the 12-8 win, the first over the Irish at Murrayfield since 2001 and the first time Scotland had won back-to-back Six Nations matches since that game.
The 66-times capped hooker had to be taken to hospital in Livingston to see a plastic surgeon before stitching took place, but Scotland team doctor James Robson expects him to be ready for the Welsh, currently sharing second place with the Scots in the table.
“Fordy suffered severe facial lacerations, we believe as a result of a collision or collisions,” said the former Dundee GP.
“He was treated at Murrayfield, then one of our match-day doctors, Gerry Haggerty, took him to St John’s Hospital in Livingston, where he was cared for by one of their plastic surgery specialists.
“He received multiple stitches to the wound and was able to return to the team hotel last night.
“Our expectation is that with ongoing good care and attention to the wound, Ross should be available for consideration for the Wales game.”
Even after the physical demands of the monumental defensive effort on Sunday, Dr Robson was able to give a pretty clean bill of health to the remainder of the squad.
“Despite the rigours of yesterday’s Test match, the rest of the squad appears in rude health,” he said. “As usual, they will continue to be medically monitored over the next few days.”
Coach Scott Johnson will carefully consider any changes for the Welsh game but reserve fly-half Duncan Weir certainly marked his card with an outstanding last 20 minutes.
The Glasgow 10 replaced his clubmate Ruaridh Jackson and brought a different dimension as the game opened out, contrary to his image as a kicking fly-half for his club.
“I’m just so chuffed and proud that I got the chance to enjoy minutes on the pitch,” said the 21-year-old, winning his second cap after he was left waiting on the touchline against Italy. “The first touch when Johnnie Beattie threw the pass I saw the defence drift and thought I may as well take it on myself and made a wee bit of yardage.
“My first kick was a good one as well, we were under a wee bit of pressure in the second half but the big change was just getting it down into their half and getting the penalties.”
Weir threw himself into defence without fear of who he was hitting as Scotland defended their narrow lead late on.
“A 10’s dream is to be getting quick ball and having the time to move onto the ball and really test their defence, but your first job is your own defence and you move moving forward from that,” he said.
“By the end I was just flying up and smacking anyone that had the chance of getting the ball.
“There was one where Brian O’Driscoll took it and he probably wasn’t my man, but I was still going hell for leather to try to get him down and stop him before that try line.”
Weir had a tough first half of the season recovering from injury and slowly regaining form but sparked in Glasgow’s 60-3 win over the Dragons two weeks ago and gives some credit to the new coach.
“I think personally he’s brought a lot to the 10s in general,” said Weir of Johnson. “He’s making us move on to the ball, linking with the forwards and being more of an attacking threat.
“It’s been a big learning curve for me and I’m only at the start of that. I’m looking to keep improving on that and keep listening and learning.”
stscott@thecourier.co.uk