Glasgow sign Max McFarland on partnership deal with Scotland 7s

Glasgow Warriors have signed winger Max McFarland on a partnership contract with Scotland 7s until the end of the season.

The Irish-born speed merchant qualifies for Scotland through his Glaswegian grandfather, and turned out for Scotland 7s at the 2014 Grand Prix Series in Manchester.

A product of the Leinster Academy, McFarland has represented Ireland at all age grade levels up to and including Under-20s, and won the All-Ireland League with club side Clontarf in 2015.

McFarland attended Clongowes Wood College in Kildare, and can count Irish rugby legends Gordon D’Arcy, Fergus McFadden and Rob and Dave Kearney among his fellow alumni.

Still just 24, McFarland has trained with Edinburgh Rugby as well as turning out for both Watsonians and Boroughmuir in the BT Premiership.

He spent pre-season with Munster, and told WarriorsTV that the chance to work with Warriors head coach Dave Rennie was ‘a huge pull’.

McFarland added: “One of my coaches back in Clontarf used to work with Dave [Rennie] and I’ve only ever heard the best of things so I’m really looking forward to training under his guidance.

“The 7s are such a great group of boys, a good mix of experience and young fellas coming through and I’m excited to be involved with them as well as Glasgow.”

Rennie’s number two Jason O’Halloran described McFarland as an ‘exciting player’, adding: “His acceleration has the ability to cause teams problems.”

McFarland’s personal best over 10 metres is 1.51 seconds, while his PB over 30 metres is 3.63 seconds. If he were to repeat, or better these times while at Glasgow, he would break the Warriors’ speed record, currently held by Lee Jones.

O’Halloran continued: “Max will add to our already healthy competition in the wing position and we’re excited to see what he’s capable of.”