Dunbar says Scotland will cope without Laidlaw

ALEX Dunbar believes Scotland need to group together if they are to deal with the loss of skipper Greig Laidlaw.

The Dark Blues scrum-half, leader and ace goal-kicker has been ruled out of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash at home to Wales as well as next month’s final two fixtures against England and Italy.

The Gloucester man picked up an ankle injury in last week’s 22-16 defeat to France and the worry now is that Scotland will suffer without his levelheaded decision making during the heat of battle.

However, Dunbar reckons Vern Cotter’s team, who will also have to do without No 8 Josh Strauss for the remainder of the championship after a kidney injury ruled him out, can cope so long as they band together.

The Glasgow centre said: “I think everyone has got to step up a little bit.

“There’s a lot of leaders in the group, and we’ve got to step up, do our jobs well, and let the new guys come in and settle in.

“It’s tough for the two boys who are out injured.

“Greig was captain and leading us well, and I thought Josh played really well against France. It’s a bit of a loss but it gives other boys a chance to step up.

“We’ve lost a few boys but we’ve got a good squad and it’s a great opportunity for some of the younger guys to come through and really put a marker down and try and push to get a place.”

Laidlaw’s No 9 jersey is now up for grabs, with the Glasgow pair of Ali Price and Henry Pyrgos the two leading candidates.

Price climbed off the bench at the Stade de France when Laidlaw limped off but that was just his second Test appearance. Pyrgos has 18 caps.