Hastings hopes 'cheeky chappy' Price is right to soften Laidlaw blow

Gavin Hastings said the loss of Greig Laidlaw is a “massive blow” for Scotland and has urged “cheeky little chappy” Ali Price to grasp his opportunity if he gets a first start against Wales in the Six Nations.

Scotland captain Laidlaw has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament after suffering an ankle injury in the 22-16 defeat against France in Paris last weekend.

Former Scotland skipper Hastings rued the absence of Gloucester’s Clermont Auvergne-bound pivot, who was outstanding in the defeat of Ireland at Murrayfield on the opening day of the Six Nations.

Speaking on behalf of Land Rover, Hastings told Omnisport: “It’s a massive blow to Scotland. He’s been such an inspiration for the Scotland team, I think he’s really come of age over the last 18 months or so.

“He exudes so much confidence and the way he conducts himself and his goal-kicking is just awesome, so he will be a big loss to Scotland but that’s the nature of the beast.

“We are not the only team to suffer injuries so we’re just going to have to get on with it.”

Price did not make the immediate impact Vern Cotter would have been looking for when he shoved Camille Lopez to the ground in an attempt to take a quick penalty, resulting in referee Jaco Peyper reversing his decision.

But Hastings thinks the Glasgow Warriors playmaker could offer Scotland, who have also lost Josh Strauss for the rest of the tournament, something different if he gets the nod to take on Wales a week on Saturday.

The ex-British and Irish Lions captain added: “He’s obviously done very well at Glasgow. He seems to be a different sort of character to Greig, a bit more in the mould of a cheeky little chappy at scrum-half.

“Through a bit of over-keenness he gave away a penalty that was not helpful to Scotland against France, but he’ll learn from that.

“It’s just over-enthusiasm in many respects, whether it’s him that starts or anyone else coming in, rugby is all about taking your chances. I thought he played pretty well against France and it’s another step forward if he’s going to get selected for the Wales match.”

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