Glasgow Warriors recruit three hookers to cover injury crisis

Gregor Townsend: will assess his hooking options this week

Glasgow have brought in three hookers as they face up to the absence of four front-line No2s ahead of their RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Zebre this weekend.

With Doug Hall and Pat MacArthur on Scotland duty and Finaly Gillies and Fergus Scott both out injured, Glasgow were left without any recognised hookers in their squad.

But head coach Gregor Townsend has acted by recruiting Fraser Brown and Kevin Bryce, both from Heriots, and Gerwyn Price from Cross Keys.

Price played for Neath for five years and has been monitored by the Welsh regions while Brown is a former Scotland under-18 and under-20 international and was previously on the books of Edinburgh Rugby.

Whoever impresses in training this week will get play against Zebre on Sunday.

Townsend said: "Fraser Brown and Kevin Bryce have been impressive for Heriots this year and Gerwyn has long been spoken of as someone with the ability to play professional rugby.

"It's obviously disappointing for both Finlay and Fergus to be out injured at the same time as Dougie and Pat are deservedly involved with Scotland, but I believe we have found the best possible solution for the club."

"We find ourselves in an unusual situation with all four of our hookers out of action but I've no doubt we have secured quality replacements in Gerwyn, Fraser and Kevin. We will be observing them closely this week at training to assess who gets the nod to be involved against Zebre this Sunday.

"We have some big games coming up so I'll be looking for them to show just how good they can be at this level."

"I'm sure that the three guys we're bringing in will relish the opportunity to compete for selection in the PRO12 and I look forward to working with them over the coming weeks."

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