Scotland handed much-needed double injury boost

Lee Radford has no concerns about Scotland’s ability to cope without their first-choice second-row pairing as they bid to land a first Guinness Six Nations title this weekend.

Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings have both been ruled out of Saturday’s showdown with title rivals Ireland in Dublin after sustaining hamstring and calf injuries respectively in Saturday’s exhilarating 50-40 triumph over France.

Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist are the leading contenders to step in for the high-stakes encounter at the Aviva Stadium, with Alex Samuel, Alex Craig, Jonny Gray and Euan Ferrie the other locks in the mix.

“I think it’s next man up, that’s always the mentality,” said defence coach Radford. “Don’t get me wrong, we’re going to lose two fantastic players who have been great for us, but somebody’s disappointment is another man’s opportunity.

“A lot (of the alternative options) have not played, but they’ve been in and around it and how they’ve prepared has been through the roof for fellas that are going to step up.

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“For that reason I’ve got every confidence in what they’re going to do and they’re going to step in this weekend.”

Radford confirmed that influential backs Huw Jones and Kyle Steyn are set to be fit for the weekend despite going off with injuries on Saturday.

In order to win their first title of the Six Nations era, Gregor Townsend’s side must collect more match points against Ireland on Saturday afternoon than France manage at home to England later that day.

The Scots have lost their last 11 games against the Irish but Northampton defence coach Radford, who joined Townsend’s backroom staff last autumn, is relishing the challenge.

“It’s my first Six Nations and it’s been an eye-opener for me the size of the competition,” said the Englishman. “I’ve been lucky enough to be in some semi-finals with Northampton against Munster and Leinster as well, so I’m fully aware of what a big occasion it’s going to be over there and I can’t wait.

“All we can do and all we’re going to do is prepare as well as we can, have as much energy as we possibly can, be as excited as we possibly can, embrace what a fantastic challenge Saturday’s going to be.

“They’re an organised outfit. They’re very structured in how they play, are obviously well coached and have been on winning runs. That builds confidence, so put all those together and it makes for a tidy side.

“But like every side you like to think there’s something to go after there if we get things right, and hopefully we can.”