HENRY PYRGOS has backed interim head coach Scott Johnson to make his mark on the Scotland squad.

The Aussie is putting the Scots RBS Six Nations squad through their paces at Scotstoun this week after being asked to hold the fort following Andy Robinson's exit at the end of the Autumn International Series.

The 23-year-old made his first start for Scotland in the third EMC Test of 2012 against Tonga in what turned out to be a catastrophic defeat that signalled the end for Robbo.

Pyrgos said: "I got to know Scott a bit when I was in and around the squad for the Autumn Tests and he is a really friendly guy with a fantastic knowledge of the game.

"He has a lot of great ideas about the game and how it should be played and I think that this will help him bring an extra dimension to Scotland's play.

"He will put his own stamp on the squad over the training camp and by the time we are ready to play England you will see that."

With 19 players in the training squad, Glasgow are the dominant force in Johnson's first gathering in charge.

Regarding this week's training squad, Pyrgos is determined to lay down a Scotland marker.

He said: "It was fantastic to make my debut in the Autumn Tests and to score the try against South Africa at Murrayfield is something I will never forget.

"But to play against England at Twickenham in the Six Nations would top the lot.

"If I want to achieve that goal then I need to make sure I produce my best in every session this week."