Scottish prop Gavin Kerr has been ruled out of the World Cup warm-up against Ireland at Murrayfield tomorrow with a shoulder injury.
Ian McGeechan is already without key quartet Tom Smith, Jason White, Bruce Douglas and Scott Murray. But he was dealt another blow after it was discovered that the Leeds Tykes prop suffered a nipped tendon in his right shoulder.
Manager Dougie Morgan said: "Gavin suffered the knock during bag work in training yesterday. He seemed to be fine yesterday, but the injury has swollen up overnight."
Kerr's place in the starting line-up will be taken by Gordon McIlwham, who will be starting a cap international at Murrayfield for the first time.
Replacing McIlwham on the bench will be 31-year-old Glasgow Rugby prop Matthew Proudfoot who returned to Scotland last month after a spell with Super 12 side Blue Bulls.