Glasgow deals for Rob Harley and Tyrone Holmes

Rob Harley has won five caps for Scotland since joining Glasgow Warriors. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The back-row pair have penned extended two-year contracts to keep them at the club until at least May 2016.

Harley joined Glasgow in 2010 and has made 93 appearances for the RaboDirect Pro12 side. The 23-year-old has become a regular in the Warriors pack and won the first of his five Scotland caps on the 2012 summer tour to the South Seas, scoring a try on his debut against Samoa.

He said: “I’ve developed as a player over the last four years, getting regular game time at the Warriors and playing for Scotland. This is the perfect place to continue my development, working with a great group of players and coaches.”

Holmes joined the club last summer on a one-year deal and has featured regularly this season, making 17 appearances.

The 28-year-old said: “It was a great decision to come to Glasgow in the summer and I’m delighted to be staying for another two years. My father was born in Peebles and he is so proud of what I’ve achieved in Scotland this season.”

Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend said: “It was really important for us to get Rob and Tyrone re-signed as the back-row is a very competitive area for most teams. Rob is a very consistent player and is extremely hard working. He is always prepared to put his body on the line in training and in games.

“Tyrone has been great for us since joining in the summer. He’s really given us competition at openside and has pushed Chris Fusaro to playing at his best. As we approach the most important part of our season, it is a boost to have secured Rob and Tyrone for the next two seasons.”

Meanwhile, the club have also signed scrum-half Murray McConnell on a one-year contract from next season.

The 21-year-old development player has impressed for Ayr in the RBS Premiership this season and was included on the bench for Glasgow in their win over Connacht at Scotstoun in February.

And Connacht yesterday confirmed the contract extensions of five of their current crop of players.

Darragh Leader, Conor Finn and Finlay Bealham have all been promoted from the province’s Academy to the senior squad on one-year deals, while last year’s graduates Dave Heffernan and Danny Qualter have also signed a 12-month extension on their deal with the senior squad.

Head Coach Pat Lam said: “It’s fantastic that we will have these local-born and Irish qualified young men fully integrated into the senior squad next season.

“Jack Carty was given the promotion earlier and it’s great to bring Finlay, Darragh and Conor on board now.”