'Feel part of something' - Glasgow Warriors confirm Jamie Ritchie capture
Scotland flanker heading to Scotstoun after one season in France with Top 14 side USA Perpignan.
Glasgow Warriors have confirmed the signing of Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie from French Top 14 side USA Perpignan.
The news broke last month that the former Edinburgh man would be heading to Scotstoun this summer with the club having now officially announced his arrival. It will be a much needed boost for Franco Smith’s back-row options ahead of the 2026/27 season with international teammate Jack Dempsey among the players set to leave the URC semi-finalists.
Ritchie returns to Scotland after one season in the French top flight having previously played 133 times for Edinburgh between 2014 and 2025. The ex-Scotland captain, who has 63 caps for his country at the age of 29, says he is excited to get going with his new teammates, many of whom he is already familiar with.
“Some of my best mates are there” - Jamie Ritchie looking forward to life with Glasgow Warriors
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Warriors,” said Ritchie. “It’s a club for which I’ve always had a lot of respect, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Some of my best mates are there, so I’ve had a good idea of what the place is like for a while. They talk about how it pushes them to be better players, but also how close they all are off the field. That means a lot to me. You want to be somewhere you feel part of something, and Glasgow genuinely has that.
“Franco has done a brilliant job with the club. You only have to look at how competitive they’ve been over the last few years to see that, and I really enjoy the way they approach the game. It’s a style that suits me and I’m excited to be a part of it.
“I obviously know the Scotstoun crowd well enough from being on the other side of things – hopefully I’ll be getting a slightly warmer reception this time around! Ultimately, I just want to come in, work hard, and play my best rugby for this club. I’m really looking forward to representing Glasgow and giving everything I’ve got.”
“A real asset to our squad” - Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith thrilled with new signing
Warriors’ head coach Franco Smith described the flanker as a ”real asset” to his line-up for next season. In the meantime, they have this weekend’s URC play-off semi-final with the Vodacom Bulls to be focusing on.
Murrayfield will be the venue for the match with the winner progressing to the Grand Final later this month which will also be held at the 67,000 plus Edinburgh stadium should Glasgow reach it. Victory over Bulls would cap off a super week for Warriors’ fans following on from the news of their latest signing.
On the addition of Ritchie, Smith said: “We are pleased to be able to add a player of Jamie’s calibre to our playing group ahead of next season, as we look to build upon the foundations we have already created at Scotstoun.
“His ability to play across the back-row will be a real asset to our squad, as will the experience he brings following his time in France, in the URC and with Scotland. We know the Warrior Nation will welcome Jamie with as much energy and enthusiasm as they bring each week, and we look forward to seeing and hearing those energy levels once again at Murrayfield this Saturday.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.