Gregor Townsend's hopes of facing Tonga at Murrayfield on Saturday have improved substantially after he came through a full training session at Troon unscathed yesterday

However, should he play, it could lead to complications on the goal-kicking front since Chris Paterson, who missed Edinburgh's back-to-back Heineken European Cup ties against Bath but was declared fully fit earlier this week, took

little part in the work-out.

His withdrawal was unconnected with the neck injury that has sidelined him, but such was the severity of the cramp he suffered after over-stretching a hamstring during the warm-up, there must now be concern over the fitness of the man designated principal goal-kicker for the autumn Test series. Curiously, one problem that would be resolved if Townsend dropped out since his place would probably be taken by Gordon Ross, uncapped but as reliable a goal-kicker as there is in the country, or the much more experienced Duncan Hodge, who scored 25 points to lead the Scotland Development XV to Tuesday's win over Tonga in Jedburgh.

Unlike prop Allan Jacobsen, his Edinburgh clubmate who was taken to Troon immediately after the Development XV match, Hodge has not been called into the Scotland squad yet.

However, the evidence of the Tongans' ill-disciplined performance underlined why no risk whatsoever dare be taken with both Townsend, who has been labouring with a shoulder problem, and Paterson, particularly given the nature of their injuries.

Two of the South Sea Islanders, Lua Lokotui, who picked up a red card within two minutes of going on as a replacement, and Nisifolo Nafahi, face Six Nations Committee disciplinary hearings later this week after being dismissed for high tackles.

Graham Hogg, the Scotland Development XV coach, was among home officials who felt the Tongans were harshly dealt with by Didier Mene, the French referee. However, late and high hitting have blighted the reputation of Polynesian sides, and Tuesday's match was again punctuated by too many reckless tackles.

In lighter vein, however, two Tongan squad members, Tevita Tefita and Seti Kiole, cousin of Jonah Lomu, the legendary All Black winger, were outshone yesterday by Roland Reid, Scotland's promising back-row-winger in a legitimate test of hitting power.

Measured by scientists at Heriot Watt University, Reid won the day, with Dr Bruce Davies, of the sports science department, claiming after assessing the results: ''If Roland hit you at full speed, it would be the equivalent of a hod of bricks falling on you from the top of the Scott Monument.''

l Scotland begin what is effectively their preparations for the 2002 Commonwealth Games at the Emirates Dubai international Sevens today with three pool games on the first day of play in the tournament.

The Scots pulled out of last year's Dubai tournament following their failure to qualify for the finals of the World Cup in Argentina. Since then, there has been a rethink on sevens rugby at Murrayfield which has signalled a more serious approach.

At the end of last season, Scotland re-entered international sevens rugby, taking part in the IRB tournaments at London and Cardiff. It is on the back of this experience that Scotland go into the 2001 Dubai Sevens, confident that they are better prepared than in previous years.

''We have the core of the players who were in the squad last season and moreover have had five weeks of training,'' said coach Rob Moffat. He added: ''We're a lot clearer about how we want to struture our game.

''Sevens has changed in the last few years. People back home would need to see a lot more international sevens to appreciate how the game has moved on,'' said Moffat, who will not declare his team for the opening tie against Sri Lanka until today.

Almost certain to be called into immediate action is James Craig, who will be hoping to recapture the fine form he showed on his Dubai debut five years ago. Moffat has also been impressed with the pace of Hawks scrum half Kenny Sinclair.

Scotland Sevens Squad

D Burns (Watsonians), C Capaldi (Boroughmuir), G Kiddie (Glasgow), M Lee (Jed-Forest) captain, A Roxburgh (Kelso), A Wilson (Heriot's FP), J Craig (Glasgow), I Fairley (Edinburgh), C Laidlaw (Jed-Forest), C MacRae (Melrose), I McInroy (Glasgow), K Sinclair (Hawks).