Wilson agrees new deal with Glasgow

The 22-year-old is the latest to put pen to paper on a two-year extension to his contract, from next June, having impressed the Warriors management since arriving at Firhill last summer from Moseley.

The powerful flanker-cum-No 8 has been a key performer for Glasgow this season and was a stand-out in Friday night’s fourth RaboDirect Pro 12 win of the season, at home to the Ospreys. Having played in every match so far he will be rested from the match against Aironi on Saturday, along with a handful of regulars, before the back-to-back Heineken Cup matches with Bath and Leinster.

That re-opens the door for Johnnie Beattie, the Scotland internationalist who lost his place in the Test squad to former team-mate Richie Vernon, and at club level to Wilson.

Lineen has brought the Lamont brothers, Sean and Rory, and Thom and Max Evans, through from English rugby to the Test arena with Scotland, and scrum-half Henry Pyrgos and lock Tom Ryder are developing well after their moves north. Lineen has been similarly impressed by Wilson’s progress. “Ryan has proved to be an excellent addition to the squad, and I’m delighted to have him signed up until at least the end of May 2014,” Lineen said. “He’s a powerful player in our back row and a good, vocal presence about the park.

“He knows he’s still got things to develop in his game, but he shows a great willingness to learn and there’s no doubting his desire to become the very best player he can be. We’ve got strong competition among the loose forwards now, and, as a coach, that’s exactly what you want.”

A Scotland U19 and U20 cap, Wilson is the sixth youngster to agree new terms, joining Rob Harley, Ruaridh Jackson, Duncan Weir, Chris Fusaro and Ryan Grant and the former Wasps academy player admitted it was an easy decision to sign on again. He said: “I love being part of Glasgow Warriors and living in this brilliant city.”