Fly-half Duncan Weir notched the winning drop goal for the Scots in Rome and Townsend insists it's good news for his RaboDirect PRO12 play-off chasers.
"I was really pleased for both players," Townsend told the Glasgow Evening Times.
"Firstly for Alex Dunbar to have scored two tries in Rome, where we have found positive results hard to come by of late, really underlines what a threat he is at the highest level.
"I thought his partnership at centre with Matt Scott, with both players just 23, looks like one that can really blossom.
"Alex is a quiet, unassuming lad and he will take a lot of confidence from his display in Rome. That augurs well for Glasgow when he returns to Scotstoun.
"As for Duncan, his composure was exemplary and I thought that overall he did the basics very well and is becoming more and more vocal in his role.
"You could see how much it meant to Dunky and the rest of the lads."
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