John Barclay signs one-year contract extension with Glasgow Warriors

JOHN Barclay has turned down advances from English and French clubs to agree a contract extension at Glasgow.

The 25-year-old back row had taken his time to consider his future and it was strongly believed at one point prior to the RBS Six Nations Championship that he would join his fellow ‘Killer B’ back-rowers, Kelly Brown and Johnnie Beattie, in leaving the Scottish game. Brown joined Saracens nearly two years ago and Beattie is heading to Montpellier this summer.

However, Barclay insisted that he had never made up his mind to leave and, despite the surprise replacement of coach Sean Lineen with Gregor Townsend next season, has agreed a new one-year deal with an option for a further year.

Barclay, who has made 126 Glasgow appearances and has 37 Scotland caps, said: “I’ve been part of Glasgow for eight years now, and the atmosphere and ambition around the club is the best I’ve ever experienced.

“It’s always a big call to decide where your future lies, particularly when you’ve been with one club for a significant period. I’ve taken some time to think through the decision, and I’m convinced that it’s the right one. Glasgow Warriors are going places and I want to contribute to that process. I’ll be giving my all for Sean Lineen and the rest of the coaches as we try to reach the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs, and will be doing likewise when Gregor, whom I know well from Scotland duty, takes over as head coach next season.”

Townsend will have a strong back row to call on with Barclay and youngsters Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro and Ryan Wilson joined by Tongan No 8 Viliami Ma’afu and All Black Angus Macdonald.

Lineen commented: “At 25, he should be just starting to come into his prime, and I’m very pleased he’s decided that Glasgow is the best place to continue his development and achieve what he wants to in the game.”