Hines blow for Scotland

Nathan Hines has been ruled out of Scotland's clash against France on Saturday and could miss the bulk of the RBS 6 Nations after being booked in for knee surgery.

Hines and Euan Murray have both failed to recover from the injuries that kept them out of Sunday's defeat by Wales.

Scotland head coach Frank Hadden has delayed naming his team for the Paris encounter to allow Geoff Cross and Simon Webster another 24 hours to recover from concussion.

Both are doubtful but the 10 other players who picked up injuries during the 26-13 defeat at Murrayfield all took part in a full training session today.

Hines was optimistic over his chances of recovering from a knee injury when he spoke earlier this week but he was scheduled to undergo exploratory surgery on Tuesday afternoon.

Without being aware of the specialist's diagnosis, Scotland team doctor James Robson estimated the Perpignan lock would be ruled out for between two and five weeks.

Murray is making "slow but steady" progress as the Northampton Saints medical staff treat his rib injury, and Robson is hopeful the prop will be fit to return against Italy on February 28.

Meanwhile, Cross and Webster will undergo further assessment on Wednesday morning ahead of Hadden's team announcement.

The pair had initially made good progress following their head knocks but failed to satisfy Robson of their full recovery during a non-contact exercise session.