Murray's power and scrummaging skills have been missed by Scotland

Scotland's medical team are "cautiously optimistic" that prop Euan Murray will have recovered from rib problems in time to face Italy on 28 February.

The Northampton star has been sidelined for the opening Six Nations defeats to Wales and France.

Meanwhile, Scotland are waiting for further news on the shoulder injury that forced Jim Hamilton off in Paris.

"It may well be that Jim has had a bleed around the covering of the bone," said team doctor James Robson.

"He may require further investigation later in the week but we are proceeding with his rehabilitation at present."

Hamilton was the only specialist lock in Scotland's 22 at the weekend and experienced second row Nathan Hines is almost certain to miss Italy's visit to Murrayfield, having undergone knee surgery last week.

Centre Graeme Morrison also limped off late in the 22-13 loss to France with an ankle injury.

However, early indications are that he is expected to be able to resume full training within one week.

Dr Robson added that other players who had "significant bumps and bruises" - Simon Danielli, Phil Godman, Mike Blair, Moray Low, Jason White and Kelly Brown - are expected to resume training in the next two to three days.

Hamilton's withdrawal saw Brown come off the bench and Simon Taylor move to join Jason White in an unfamiliar role in the second row.

White, who, like Taylor, normally operates in the back row, is also being assessed by medical staff, having injured his knee against the French.

Scotland's pack, missing Hines and Murray, was much criticised following their opening defeat by Wales and again found it difficult in the scrum.

That contributed to the 13-7 penalty count which ultimately cost Scotland the game, although Hadden refused to accept his bench selection had backfired.

"Obviously we're disappointed that happened the way it did," said Hadden.

"You weigh up the risks when you take them and you cannot cover everybody on the bench.

"Did it have an impact on the outcome of the game? Who knows? Maybe we got better as a result of it, it's almost impossible to tell."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Scotland's defeat in Paris

Despite being outmuscled at times, Glasgow flanker Brown thought the Scots had equipped themselves well.

"It's difficult but it's something we had trained for all week," he added.

"We sat down and discussed what happened if Jim got injured or Jason got injured.

"So we planned for that and I thought we coped fairly well because obviously it's a big loss."

Brown also insists he was wrongly denied a try, having touched down after prop Allan Jacobsen tackled France scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde as the home side defended a five-metre scrum.

However, referee George Clancy, who failed to spot what looked like a forward pass for France's only try, blew for a penalty.

"My take it on it was 'Chunk' (Jacobsen) went through when the nine had hands on the ball, and I picked up and went over," explained Brown.

"The referee called it offside against Chunk. It was a close call."

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