Glasgow Warriors close in on new stand-off as they tie up three on contracts

A busy day of signing activity saw Glasgow Warriors tie up the services of three players yesterday but there is more to come, with coach Danny Wilson keen to bring in a new stand-off for the remainder of the season.

Ian Keatley is a free agent after being released by Benetton and has been linked with Glasgow.

Wilson wouldn’t be drawn on a potential move for Ian Keatley, who is a free agent after being released by Benetton. The former Munster No 10 is an experienced Pro14 player and reports in Ireland suggest he is on his way to Scotstoun.

The coach was more forthcoming on scrum-half Sean Kennedy and hooker Johnny Matthews, who have both extended their contracts with Glasgow, and prop Ewan McQuillin who has rejoined the club after a spell with Southern Knights in the Super6.

Kennedy stepped in at nine during the autumn international window when Ali Price and George Horne were on Scotland duty. Horne was subsequently injured while another Glasgow scrum-half, Jamie Dobie, was also sidelined.

Scrum-half Sean Kennedy has signed a new deal with Glasgow Warriors.

“Sean was excellent - good enough that he held his place when Jamie came back and was probably one of our in-form players,” said Wilson. “It’s great to add to the depth at nine with Sean and I’m glad he’s here for longer.”

Wilson was also pleased to bolster his front row and will now move to tie up a stand-off.

“There are two things we need to do,” he said. “Short term we need a 10 - short term being the next four, five, six months.

“We have Adam Hastings out long term [due to a shoulder injury]. Pete Horne is struggling with concussive symptoms.

“We were due to sign a 10, which never happened because of the Covid budget situation. So Pete stepped in and did a good job, but really Pete’s a 12.

“We’ve got Brandon Thomson and Ross Thompson, and Ross is an academy player who’s getting some exposure now, but we need something to tide us over - somebody to come in at 10. That’s something we’re still working on now for the remainder of this season.

“And then in the longer term we wanted to recruit at least one if not two 10s. I can’t give you any news on that today, but in the very short term I should be able to give you some news in terms of probably both those situations.”

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