Scotland receive fitness boost ahead of Wales clash

Scotland have received a major boost ahead of their upcoming Six Nations clash against Wales with several of their injured players reporting back to the training camp.

The Dark Blues' chances were dealt a major blow when skipper Greig Laidlaw and Josh Strauss were ruled out of the tournament with respective injuries that they sustained during the game against France which also saw John Barclay, John Hardie and Fraser Brown suffer head injuries.

Wing Sean Maitland and replacement Mark Bennett also sustained injuries while playing for their clubs Saracens and Glasgow Warriors respectively last weekend.

However, Maitalnd, Bennett, Barclay, Hardie and Brown have returned to the training camp as confirmed by defence coach Matt Taylor.

"They've all come into training today and they are being looked at by the medical staff.

"Neither Mark nor Sean trained today but we hope they will be right tomorrow."

Laidlaw's absence was felt in the game against France during which the visitors let the game slip away in the final 10 minutes following a double penalty kick from Camille Lopez. However, Taylor insisted that there is enough leadership traits within the squad, who can step up in the absence of the Gloucester scrum-half.

"We haven't made a decision on the captaincy yet but we have a number of leaders within the group," he said.

"Jonny Gray captains Glasgow and John Barclay captains the Scarlets, so we have a lot of guys who help Greig out.

"We will be looking for that again this weekend."

Our 6 Nations cover is sponsored by Allett Mowers