New contracts for Glasgow trio

THREE players seen as part of the future of Glasgow Warriors yesterday committed themselves to the club for a further two years. Chris Fusaro, Ryan Grant and Duncan Weir each agreed contract extensions until May 2014.

The club has hailed the positive news ahead of tomorrow’s visit of the Newport Gwent Dragons to Firhill in the Rabo Direct PRO12.

Glasgow chief executive Kenny Baillie said: “Chris, Ryan and Duncan have proved they are key players and we’re delighted they see us as club where they can achieve their aspirations and continue their individual development.

“It’s fantastic news to have secured the players so early – it sends out a positive message to our supporters and allows the players to focus on continuing to deliver quality performances.”

Fusaro joined the Warriors on his first professional contract last summer, shortly after being called up to the Scotland A squad for the IRB Nations Cup in Romania. The 22-year-old openside flanker has played a key role for the club in the first month of the RaboDirect PRO12 season.

The former Heriot’s player said: “It’s really pleasing to know I’m going to be part of Glasgow Warriors for the foreseeable future. I’ve loved my time at the club so far, and have learned a massive amount from being around quality international players.”

Loosehead prop Grant added: “I want to play my part in helping the club continue to thrive.”

The Warriors are moving from Firhill to play their games at their training base at Scotstoun from the 2012/13 season and Grant, 25, who joined Glasgow from Edinburgh in June 2010, said: “The guys are really taken with the prospect of playing our games at Scotstoun Stadium next season.”

Stand-off Weir, 20, is a product of Cambuslang and Glasgow Hawks and has done well since stepping up to the professional ranks in 2010. The Scotland A player said: “As a Glasgow boy, I take huge pride in wearing the Warriors jersey and there’s no better place for me to continue to come on as a player.”

Against the Dragons tomorrow Glasgow will look to record back-to-back RaboDirect PRO12 wins for the first time this season. Sean Lineen’s team go into the fixture fresh from a bonus point triumph away to Cardiff Blues last Saturday, but mindful of the failure to build on their previous big success on the road, at reigning European champions Leinster. Following last week’s win in Cardiff, Lineen has kept changes to a minimum. The back division are retained en-masse, while in the forwards, Grant and Fusaro come in for Gordon Reid and James Eddie respectively.

Glasgow: S Hogg, T Seymour, R Dewey, T Nathan, C Shaw, D Weir, C Gregor; R Grant, F Gillies, M Cusack, T Ryder, R Verbakel, R Harley (capt), C Fusaro, J Beattie. Subs: P MacArthur, G Reid, E Kalman, J Eddie, R Wilson, H Pyrgos, A Dunbar, P Horne.