Six Nations 2010: Scotland coach Andy Robinson considers his options

By Telegraph staff and agencies Published: 8:34PM GMT 19 Feb 2010

Options: Scotland coach Andy Robinson is considering his option ahead of the Italy match, after injuries to Thom Evans and Chris Paterson Photo: PA

Paterson, who suffered a bruised kidney in the 31-24 loss to Wales, was discharged from hospital on Tuesday and has now been cleared to return home.

Evans, whose serious neck injury caused alarm throughout the sport, has now had a second operation to strengthen the emergency surgery that was carried out on Saturday evening and is expected to be able to return home next week.

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With a Scotland A match against Italy A scheduled to take place in Biella next Friday, Robinson has now expanded his Scotland squad to 36 players. Others may well be drafted after this weekends games, but the most significant additions are the wingers Simon Danielli and Nikki Walker, and full-back Hugo Southwell.

Danielli played for Ulster against Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill last night. His elusive skills would make him the most obvious direct replacement for Evans, but Robinson will also be keeping an eye on Walkers performance for the Ospreys against Connacht tomorrow.

Walkers more direct style saw him collect two tries for the Welsh club against Cardiff Blues recently, so the choice between the two may come down to form rather than individual style.

Southwell, who has shown his all-round versatility by turning out at scrum-half for Stade Français recently, is in his clubs squad for todays Top 14 match against Bourgoin. Should he come through that game unscathed, he will almost certainly be at full-back in the full Test team against Italy next weekend.

Cardiff lock Bradley Davies will decide over the weekend whether to make himself available for Wales against France next Friday folllowing the sudden death of his mother Cheryl on Thursday night after a short illness.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has assured Davies that he is a first choice for the match should he decide to take part.

France prop Sylvain Marconnet has been ruled out of next Fridays match with a thigh injury. His replacement for the visit to Cardiff will be named tomorrow.