Scotland hooker Ford back to work

The 27-year-old Edinburgh hooker was one of five Scotland players withdrawn from club service after the Six Nations, but will pack down for tomorrow’s EMC Test at Murrayfield for his first action since the victory over Italy on March 19.

The enforced break came as something of a relief for Ford, who had played continual rugby for the previous two years, including the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2009 and Scotland’s trip to Argentina a year later.

There were also physical symptoms relating to the decision to rest Ford, with an elevated heart rate a sign of fatigue which could have become serious had he not been ordered to reduce his workload.