Grimes drops out of Scotland side

Stuart Grimes has been forced to withdraw from Scotland's international against Romania.

The Newcastle lock has been struggling with an inflamed tendon in his left knee since the game against the Barbarians and was forced to cut short his training session yesterday.

He has been referred to a specialist for further consultation after giving up any hope of taking part this weekend, and the results of a shoulder scan he underwent on Tuesday also need further assessment.

His place in the starting XV will be taken by Newcastle team-mate Craig Hamilton, while Edinburgh Rugby's Alastair Kellock has been drafted in to replace Hamilton on the bench.

Better news for interim head coach Frank Hadden is that Edinburgh scrum-half Mike Blair took full part in training today and remains in the starting line-up for the game against Romania on Sunday.