And Townsend believes the 32-year-old has a big role to play between now and the end of the season with the Warriors chasing a play-off spot.
"It was great to get big Al back involved again. He also made a crucial tackle in the second period that saved a try and really put himself about," Townsend told the Glasgow Evening Times.
"To have come through a very physical game like that will have given him a lot of confidence in terms of his injury."
Townsend also insists the win over Scarlets was a physiological boost in the battle for a top-four berth.
"The victory has made it much tougher for the Scarlets to come through as contenders for the knockout stages," added Townsend, whose side are four points behind fourth-placed Ospreys with two games in hand.
"Denying them a consolation point was a good outcome."
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