Gregor Townsend can't wait for Corey Flynn to join Glasgow

Corey Flynn (right), pictured with Alby Mathewson after a victorious Bledisloe Cup match in 2010, played 15 Tests for New Zealand. Picture: Getty

The former All Blacks hooker will join Gregor Townsend’s Guinness Pro12 champions this summer.

The 35-year-old played 15 Tests for New Zealand, scoring three tries and never lost an international match. He was part of the All Blacks squad crowned world champions on home soil in 2011, although he made just one substitute appearance during the group stages.

Flynn’s Warriors switch remains subject to a visa and medical but Townsend is already looking forward to adding the former Crusaders front-rower to his Scotstoun squad.

Townsend said: “Corey is a very experienced player, who has played at the highest level of the game.

“He will strengthen our leadership group, having captained Canterbury and the Crusaders, as well as the Junior All Blacks. He has shown his ability to adapt to a different rugby environment having been involved in 32 games for Toulouse last season, starting in all but one of them.

“Corey is also going to play an important role to help mentor some of our younger players and bring the best out of the other hookers in our squad. We’re excited about his arrival next season, which will be the first time a Rugby World Cup winner has played for the Warriors.”

Flynn’s deal ties him to Glasgow until at least May 2018.

To date he has played 42 times for Toulouse in the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup.

Prior to joining the four-time European champions in 2014, he spent 13 years with Super Rugby side Crusaders.

He made his All Blacks debut against Canada at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and went on to win 15 caps for New  Zealand and was a member  of their Rugby World Cup  winning squad in 2011.

Flynn has already played at Scotstoun with Toulouse, having started both of their European Rugby Champions Cup games against the Warriors last season.

He said: “I’ve spent most of my career in New Zealand and had two years in France, so I’m thankful for the opportunity to join Glasgow Warriors next season and I’m looking forward to the new challenge.

“I jumped at the chance to join the Warriors after chatting to Gregor and I’m good friends with Sean Maitland and he couldn’t say enough good things about Glasgow.

“I want to help the young hookers at the club by passing on my experience and helping them come to terms with professional rugby in a similar role to the one I had at the Crusaders.

“When I played at Scotstoun last season the atmosphere was fantastic and it shows the club has a really good support base.”