GLASGOW scrum-halves Ali Price and Henry Pyrgos will battle it out to be Scotland’s starting scrum-half for the rest of the Six Nations after it was revealed that Greig Laidlaw will miss the rest of the championship because of an ankle injury. And Warriors lock Jonny Gray is in the running to be captain for the remaining three matches.

Price took over from Laidlaw at scrum-half on Sunday when the skipper was inured in the first half of the game against France. He has been in excellent form in some club games this season while Pyrgos is only just back from injury, but Pyrgos is more experienced in both his position and as a leader - he is joint captain of Glasgow this season along with Gray. Pyrgos could play in the Warriors’ PRO12 game in Ulster on Saturday if it is thought he needs more game time to improve his match fitness, but Price is expected to be rested.

John Barclay took over as captain in the 22-16 defeat by France when Laidlaw was forced off, but he too then had to leave the field because of injury, with Gray taking over. Gray is more sure of his place in the second row alongside his older brother Richie than Barclay is of his in the back row.

The Scarlets forward only started against the French because Ryan Wilson was ruled out by an elbow infection. Wilson started the opening match against Ireland alongside Warriors team-mate Josh Strauss and Edinburgh’s Hamish Watson.

Laidlaw’s injury was confirmed yesterday as ligament damage after he had a scan at his club, Gloucester. “The extent of the damage is such that he will take no further part in the current championship,” a statement from Scottish Rugby said. “Laidlaw will see a specialist later in the week to determine the best course of management and estimated time out of the sport.”