Jackson’s new Glasgow deal keeps him in ‘right place’

Scotland stand-off Ruaridh Jackson has signed a two-year contract extension with Glasgow. The 23-year-old, who has 11 caps and started three of Scotland’s four Rugby World Cup games, is now committed to the RaboDirect PRO12 side until May 2014.

The announcement comes only a fortnight after the Warriors moved to secure Chris Fusaro, Ryan Grant and Duncan Weir on long-term deals following the trio’s impressive start to the season.

“It’s always a big call deciding where your future lies but, with the momentum that’s building around the club, I’m absolutely convinced this is the right place for me to be over the next few years,” said Jackson.

“Like every player, I’m ambitious about what I want to achieve in the game and I’m excited that Glasgow Warriors and Scottish Rugby are committed to moving the club forward on and off the pitch.

“We’ve got a great group of hungry, talented players here and there’s a real chance for us to push on as a group and achieve success.”

Aberdeen-raised Jackson, who learned his trade at Robert Gordon’s College, Cartha Queens Park and Glasgow Hawks, signed his first professional contract with Glasgow in May 2008.

He made his Scotland debut in the EMC Autumn Test against New Zealand at Murrayfield last November, and appeared in four of the 2011 RBS Six Nations fixtures before winning selection for the Rugby World Cup, where he started the Pool B clashes against Romania, Argentina and England.

Glasgow and Jackson made the announcement yesterday at Scotstoun, where the team train and, as of next season, will play their home games following a planned move from Firhill. Jackson added: “From a player’s point of view, the move to Scotstoun is an extremely positive signal about where the club is heading.

“It’s also hugely encouraging to see good young guys like Chris, Ryan and Duncan being signed so early in the season.”

Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen is delighted to have secured the future of such a key player.

“It’s no secret that I’ve been a huge fan of Ruaridh since I first clapped eyes on him playing for Robert Gordon’s College five years ago, and he’s come on massively in the time he’s been involved with Glasgow Warriors,” he said.

“He’s already shown himself capable of holding his own as a Test fly-half and, if he continues to show the same outstanding level of application, he’ll go from strength to strength.”

Jackson could make his first Glasgow appearance of the season in Friday’s match with the Ospreys, if he can prove his fitness following the hamstring injury he sustained against England in Auckland on 1 October.

Meanwhile, Howe of Fife stand-off George Horne will turn out for Glasgow Warriors Whites Under-17s against Edinburgh Rugby Blacks Under-17s tonight on the Murrayfield back pitches.

Rugby runs in the Horne family as George’s older brother, Peter, is currently part of the Glasgow Warriors and Scotland sevens squads and his dad, Gary, is part of the coaching team at the Howe club.

In previous years the under-17 set up has been different with a regional-based league involving Caledonia, Borders, Edinburgh and Glasgow, who all played one game against each other with national selection based on performances from those matches.

However, this year only two regional games have taken place between Glasgow and Caledonia followed by Edinburgh versus the Borders. Two teams were then selected from the players involved in those games to form a Glasgow Warriors Whites and Glasgow Warriors Blacks from the first game and an Edinburgh Rugby Reds and Edinburgh Rugby Blacks from the second game.

The first match between Glasgow Warriors Whites and Edinburgh Rugby Blacks kicks off at 6pm and the second match between Glasgow Warriors Blacks and Edinburgh Rugby Reds kicks off at 7.30pm.