A full mountain man beard could not disguise Rory Lamont as the Sale Sharks full-back made an unexpected return to training with Scotland's RBS 6 Nations squad at Murrayfield yesterday.

A full mountain man beard could not disguise Rory Lamont as the Sale Sharks full-back made an unexpected return to training with Scotland's RBS 6 Nations squad at Murrayfield yesterday.

With Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton also back in the fold, it was the closest to full strength the squad has been since the tournament got under way. It seems unlikely, though, that Lamont or Hines will feature in the starting XV to meet Ireland that will be named today.

Graham Steadman, the team's defence coach, said the return of the trio had lifted everyone in the camp, but he said Lamont in particular, who was expected to be ruled out for four months when he damaged ankle ligaments in early December, was unlikely to feature in this week's 22.

"In Rory's case I think it is a week too early but to have players of this quality working within the squad gives everybody a lift," he said.

As for the two locks - they were Scotland's first-choice second-row partnership at the 2007 World Cup and last year's autumn Tests - he made it clear that he thought it would be too risky to include both from the start.

"Obviously, Frank Hadden, the head coach will have the final say," he said. "I personally don't think it would be the right way to go. To have one or the other off the bench as an impact player to consolidate whatever work we have done to whatever minute in the second half, I think would bea massive boost."

Hamilton is fully fit and has less of a problem regarding match fitness having only been sidelined since injuring his shoulder against France last month, whereas Hines has not played for more than two months.

Steadman also hinted strongly that Chris Paterson, Scotland's most capped player and record points scorer, could be set to make his first start of the championship.