Ross Walker of RBS, said the PMI brought forward the risk of a rate rise "sooner rather than later and brings February into play as a possibility".

BBC: UK manufacturing growth at fastest since records began

The flexibility of the workforce has been part of that, according to Ross Walker, UK economist at RBS, who points to the large numbers of part-time jobs in previous months, small rises in average wages and the increase in self-employment.

BBC: UK unemployment falls by 82,000, says ONS

Sale's Rory Lamont, Ospreys winger Nikki Walker and Edinburgh trio Dave Callam, Ross Rennie and Matt Mustchin were unavailable for selection through injury.

BBC: Scotland drop full-back Paterson