Why Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh refuse to divulge the length of players’ contracts

Danny Wilson has offered an explanation as to why Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh don’t reveal the lengths of contracts signed by players.

Glasgow Warriors head coach Danny Wilson. Picture: Ross Parker / SNS

Both Scottish pro teams have announced a raft of new signings and contract extensions in recent weeks but, unlike in football, the duration of the deals has been kept under wraps.

Wilson, the Warriors head coach, said it was partly to protect the player and partly to protect the club.

“It’s a couple of things, really,” explained Wilson. “Some players don’t like it, first of all. The player himself, when we are making an announcement about a signing, is not overly keen about letting the world know when he is in and out of contract.

“Some do, because it puts them in the market, and that’s the other point for us a club. Not many will announce a contract term nowadays because what it does is announce to the world that this guy is out of contract at this date therefore ‘go for it’.

“You are opening yourself to other people targeting your guys when they are out of contract.”

Glasgow have recruited Duncan Weir, Ian Keatley and Jamie Bhatti this month and also tied down Scott Cummings, Sam Johnson, Tom Gordon and Jamie Dobie on new contracts.

Edinburgh have re-signed Bill Mata, Hamish Watson, Jamie Ritchie, Jamie Hodgson, Jaco van der Walt and Blair Kinghorn while also striking an agreement to bring James Lang and Glen Young to the club next season from Harlequins.

Neither club revealed the length of any of the deals, although Watson volunteered that his new contract was for three years.

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