Pyrgos will stick to what he does best to have an impact
Henry Pyrgos wants to prove that he can be more than just a steady hand, used by Edinburgh when the capital outfit want to play it safe.
The 32-year-old scrum-half knows that he is reaching the end of a stellar playing career which has seen him pick up 28 caps for Scotland.
He may have only started six of those matches, but the fact he was made captain of the national team on three of those occasions says a lot about his leadership ability.
He was also a key member of the Glasgow Warriors squad which lifted the 2015 PRO12 title in 2015 and co-captained the side with Jonny Gray two seasons later.
Pyrgos joined Edinburgh in the summer of 2018 in search of more game-time and has played 57 matches for the club so far.
And while he has found himself stuck behind new signing Ben Vallacott and emerging talent Charlie Shiel so far this season, the veteran’s performance off the bench against Benetton at the start of this month demonstrated that he is not yet ready to step aside without a fight.
Pyrgos’ blindside break with his first touch swung momentum back in Edinburgh’s favour after the Italians appeared to be getting on top.
He also came off the bench to help close out the game when Edinburgh scored an impressive win over English giants Saracens last weekend.
“Ben is very fast, so is Chico, and that’s not necessarily my game,” reflected Pyrgos.
“But I was in the Glasgow team which won the league, and I did all right there, so I think there are different ways to bring tempo playing at scrum-half.
“I’ll stick to what I do really well and try to have a big impact on the team and help where I can.”
Pyrgos replaced current Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair when he made his international debut against New Zealand back in November 2012, so the pair go back a long way.
And the younger man believes that he and his old team-mate are on the same wavelength when it comes to the role of a scrum-half.
“I think Mike expects scrumhaves to execute basic skills well and bring tempo into attack, so that’s what I try to do within the overall game-plan,” he explained.
“The game-plan has changed a little bit this season – there is different expectations and different emphasis – so it is just for me to adapt to that.
“With Ben and Charlie, there is some good young players there, so it is up to me to take my opportunities.”
“I think Mike challenges us,” he added. “Under Richard Cockerill, he was very specific about what he wanted in certain areas in the field, whereas Mike probably challenges us more – especially the decisionmakers in the team – to take responsibility.
“So, there is more discussion and reflecting in meetings, which I enjoy and like to contribute to.”
“Being a scrum-half isn’t just about passing, kicking or running, it is about helping to organise the team and communicating with the rest of the players.”
The Challenge Cup draw has given Edinburgh this weekend off, which means an extended build-up to their 1872 Cup clash against Glasgow Warriors on the day after Boxing Day.
“We know that Glasgow are a really good side and it’s a derby game, so we have to play well,” concluded Pyrgos.
“You’ve got to be physical in a derby game, that’s the minimum requirement, if you want to be in the game.”