Blow for Glasgow as Masoe opts to stay put France

FORMER All Black back row Chris Masoe has turned down Glasgow’s advances and decided to extend his contract with French club Castres.

The 32-year-old No-8-cum-flanker confirmed yesterday that he had been in discussions with Warriors coach Sean Lineen about a move to Glasgow this summer, and had been impressed by the offer. But after deliberating over the option, with some fresh influence brought to bear by a Top 14 club desperate to retain its popular skipper, he stated that he had decided to stay in France.

After the move was revealed by Scotland on Sunday and confirmed by Sean Lineen in The Scotsman on Monday, Glasgow revealed yesterday: “Masoe has today informed us that he has decided to remain in France, where he currently plays for Top 14 club Castres.

Masoe commented: “Although I’m not going to be joining the Warriors on this occasion, I’d like to make a point of putting on record how impressed I’ve been with the club and Scottish Rugby [the SRU] throughout this whole process. My partner Gemma and I paid a visit to Glasgow and Scotstoun Stadium a few weeks ago, and we were both blown away by the warmth of the welcome we received from everyone at the club and the people we met around the city.

“The Warriors couldn’t have done more to make us feel wanted, and as a result this was an extremely tough decision. The club are heading in the right direction and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Lineen was naturally disappointed to lose out on the player but insisted he remains committed to bringing through young Scottish players and in the market for players that he believes would help that process and Glasgow’s bid to win silverware.

“While we’re obviously disappointed that Chris has decided to stay in France,” he said, “the efforts we made to bring him here underline our ambition.”