Scotland coach Ian McGeechan is set to restore Gregor Townsend to stand-off for the final Six Nations game against Ireland.

The Castres star was switched to centre after returning from the injury which saw him miss part of the original Six Nations tournament and lose the fly-half role to Duncan Hodge.

But Edinburgh Gunner Hodge has failed to find his form so far this season and McGeechan is poised to revert Townsend to fly-half at Murrayfield on September 22 when the tournament, interrupted by the foot and mouth crisis earlier this year, is finally completed.

Edinburgh team manager Ian Rankin has rotated Hodge with Gordon Ross so far this season and consequently Ross also found himself selected for today's Scotland training session.

However, McGeechan has assured Hodge that he still as a big future with the national side.

McGeechan said: "I'm reasonably close to finalising the team for the Irish game.

"Gordon Ross has never trained with us and I wanted him to come in.

"I spoke to Duncan last week - it wasn't a selection thing - I just wanted to see Gordon in this environment and see how he fitted in. That is what using the squad is about.

"It worked well today but it worked well with Duncan last time. We are just trying to extend the base of the squad really.

"Gregor is the one I'm looking at for number 10. I want to try and develop things there."

But Townsend expressed surprise that he was to be reverted to stand-off.

He said: "If I get picked it will be great. Things went quite well last season and I played four games at 10 until my injury.

"It was just unfortunate that I missed a good part of the season in the middle of the Six Nations.

"It is a bit weird playing Ireland at this time but it is a good excuse to go back on the road earlier than November.

"We didn't go on tour this summer so we should be fresh and we are getting a game straight away."

Meanwhile, newcomer Ross enjoyed his first session with Scotland but admitted he still needed to secure a first-team place with Edinburgh before even considering a regular international berth.

Ross said: "The important thing for me is trying to get a regular game for Edinburgh.

"I enjoyed playing with Heriot's at the weekend as I always do but it was frustrating at the same time because I want to play for Edinburgh on a regular basis.

"This is a step in the right direction for me and I was surprised when I got the letter.

"But I'm not going to read too much into it, far from it.

"When I start holding down a place for Edinburgh I can start looking up a bit."

McGeechan also took time out to offer his congratulations to Leeds Tykes who opened their first Premiership campaign with a shock win over Bath on Sunday.

But Leeds-born McGeechan, who played for the club in their earlier guise of Headingley, insists there is still a long way to go for his former club.

McGeechan said: "I was absolutely delighted for them. It's nice to see my club winning. I actually watched the game and I think that they will do all right.

"It is nice to see a side come into the Premiership in England and actually get off on the right foot.

"It is so easy to fall away and not get the chance to get up to speed. The win was very important in that respect but they know it is a long season with 21 cup finals ahead of them.

"But that is the level that they have got to be playing at."