Scotland were given a major worry ahead of today's Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test meeting with the All Blacks at Murrayfield after Simon Taylor failed to take part in yesterday's final training session.

Scotland were given a major worry ahead of today's Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test meeting with the All Blacks at Murrayfield after Simon Taylor failed to take part in yesterday's final training session at the national stadium.

The No.8, who plays in France with Stade Francais, has suffered a calf strain and is being further assessed by the squad's medical team. They are expected to leave their decision until as late as possible before the 5.15pm kick-off at Murrayfield. His condition is serious enough that Ally Hogg, his former Edinburgh clubmate, has been brought into the squad to provide cover.

While an SRU spokesman would say only that "an announcement on the composition of the Scotland starting back row will be made in due course", the expectation must be that if Taylor is not fit to play Hogg would be brought directly into the starting XV.

Since Taylor headed to Paris, Hogg has played most of his club rugby over the past two seasons in the No.8 jersey.

The specialist back-row replacement in the 22 named earlier this week is Scott Gray, the Northampton flanker who played across the back row during his time with Borders, but who has been used specifically as an openside by the English club since joining them this season.

Matt Mustchin, who is also on the bench, is another who can play in the back row, but only as a blindside flanker.

The loss of Taylor would be a particular disappointment for Frank Hadden, the head coach, who is prone to describing the 29-year-old as the team's "warrior", but in Hogg he has a vastly experienced replacement available.

While the All Blacks back-row has a combined seven caps among them, with two of them making their Test debuts, Hogg has won 45 to date.

His recall will not substantially affect the balance of power in which the visitors can boast a weight advantage of just over a stone in the pack, according to official figures.

While Taylor is now a sufficiently formidable figure at 17st 4lb for Stade to use him regularly in the second row this season, Hogg tilts the scales at 17st 2lb.