Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend says international breaks offer a fantastic opportunity for less experienced players to step up to the challenge of Pro12 rugby.

Scotland internationals returned to Scotstoun this week following a spell away training with Vern Cotter ahead of the autumn internationals.

Townsend, whose Warriors side will square up against Scarlets on Saturday evening, feels fringe players benefit as a by-product of the training camps.

His squad for the Pro12 fixture includes the names of some of the players yet to cement themselves as stars at the club and the 43-year-old is pleased to offer them a chance to step up and prove their worth.

Speaking about the breaks Townsend said: "They're very important, it shows the true depth of the club.

"It shows players grabbing opportunities so that's a brilliant feeling for a coach when you've seen a player working hard and he finally gets his opportunity and he goes out and grabs it.

"These points are vital as well. This is a chance for us to keep ticking over, keep in that top four in a period where we will have a number of players away."

He added: "The Scotland players who have come back have trained Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday so we had a much lighter day yesterday and a light day today.

"We believe the energy levels will be really high for the game.

"For the players that didn't go away to international camps it's a big opportunity for those that have been selected and we've seen in the past that players have really grabbed that opportunity."