Friday 17 February 2017 19:57, UK
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend believes Ali Price and Henry Pyrgos are ready to replace injured Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw.
Scrum-half Laidlaw has been ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations after injuring ankle ligaments in Sunday's defeat to France.
The Gloucester half-back's absence leaves head coach Vern Cotter without his influential captain, who has led a resurgent Scotland side in the Six Nations.
Price replaced Laidlaw at the Stade de France and is favourite to start against Wales next weekend, but Townsend believes Warriors captain Pyrgos could also step up to the task.
"I'm sure Henry is firmly in their thoughts," said the Warriors boss, who takes over the national team this summer. "He's been out injured but played well last week against Scarlets.
"He's our captain so he will have lots of involvement in the game to prove he's match fit and ready to go.
"He and Ali are different players. Ali has played consistently well this season. He's shown confidence and physically has looked really good.
"With the work he has done with Mike Blair and the other nines, you can see the improvements he is making with his decision-making and his kicking game."
Pyrgos made his international debut against New Zealand in 2012 and has since made 18 appearances for his country.
Towsend continued: "Henry has been a key player over the last few years. Whenever we've attacked well he's been the nine.
"I thought he started the season really well but had some issues with his knee. He's over them now and I thought he looked good when he came on for the last 20 minutes against Leicester.
"He's an excellent kicker, an excellent tactical player who operates at a high tempo.
"It's a blow to lose Greig for Scotland, but to have these two players means at least we have good depth."
