Easterby hoping to be back by mid-January

Like most accidents, it happened so simply. Breaking from a ruck, Guy Easterby heard a call from a team-mate and pivoted to offload possession. His body turned but his leg didn't and that coupled with a tackle, a split second later, combined to snap his fibula.

Today the Llanelli scrum-half and Irish international returns to hospital hoping to receive the approval of the surgeon to remove the plaster cast: "I'm not sure at this stage, but if it doesn't happen then, it is definitely just a matter of seven more days in the cast."

Easterby is philosophical about his plight which helps him to remain positive, not an easy mindset when one considers the circumstances surrounding the injury. "We were playing a league match against Neath and because I was in the Ireland squad for the following week and also because Rupert Moon needed a game, I was told that I would be sitting on the bench.

"They were keen to give Rupert a full game. Things didn't go well for Llanelli and to try and change matters I was told to go on. It happened in less than four minutes. Initially I found it very difficult to deal with - but you get over it eventually."

Easterby had returned from Ireland's summer tour of Argentina, the USA and Canada appreciably closer to first-choice Peter Stringer in the selection debate at scrum-half than when the party departed.

He endured the frustration which the injury provoked. "I concentrated on the rehabilitation and have been in regular contact with the Ireland team physio Craig White. In a way it was good that Simon was around (his brother is also injured having suffered two operations on an Achilles tendon tear) - and that we could inspire each other. He's now able to walk properly without a limp.

"If things go well today then I am hoping to be in contention for the resumption of the European Cup on January 13th. I feel that it is a realistic target. It really is just a case of fingers crossed at this stage."

He watched Ireland's recent defeat by South Africa and felt that it offered great similarities with last season's Six Nations defeat by Wales. "I think we played some great rugby and I just can't wait to get involved again. It definitely whetted the appetite."

Former captain Andy Nicol has been included in the Scotland training squad for the Six Nations Championship. Although the injury-prone Nicol has missed much of this season after damaging a knee, he is one of three scrum-halves in the squad, alongside Bryan Redpath and Graeme Beveridge.

Coach Ian McGeechan has also included Glasgow Caledonians' wing James Craig. The son of former Celtic soccer star Jim Craig and the quickest player in Scottish rugby, he was capped against Australia in 1997 but then fell out of favour. He is preferred to Craig Joiner.