EWAN ASHMAN has joined Glasgow Warriors on loan for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old hooker, who scored a spectacular try on his Scotland debut against Australia earlier this month, has moved to Scotstoun from Sale Sharks, where he has struggled to command regular game-time for the 1st XV.
Born in Toronto, Ashman qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born father, and has worn the thistle at U16, U18 and U20 level prior to his senior bow. He scored 11 times in 15 appearances for the U20s and was joint top try-scorer at the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina.
The switch will sees Ashman provide cover in the front-row following an injury to Fraser Brown, who is expected to be out until at least early next year.
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“I’m buzzing to come to Glasgow. The way the club play -the intent they have to move the ball and run with the ball – suits me down to a tee and is exactly the way I like to play,” said Ashman.
“The young group of players coming through right now is really exiting, with the likes of Ross Thompson, Rory Darge and Rufus McLean all having made an impact in the last year. You can see they’re building something at Glasgow and it’s something I want to be involved in.
“I’m going to take this opportunity with both hands, and play as well as I can while at Glasgow.”
Head Coach Danny Wilson added: “Ewan is another exciting young Scottish talent that has been stepping up and impressed recently for Scotland, as well as previously for the U20s.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming him into our environment as we prepare for our next block of fixtures.”
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Dates confirmed for Scotland’s final World Cup qualifying tournament
lest see now.
Ashman is really important for Scotland. He has been an obvious huge talent for a couple of seasons at least. Brown injured for another couple of months at least, been picking up too many, and at 32 getting to the RWC in 2023 has to be doubtful. Turner is the current key holder, but is maybe one concussion away from retirement. And Stewart and Mathews good guys but neither are going to see much starting time for Scotland barring bucket loads of injuries. Ashman is a clear step up and it is essential he gets top game time, something he isn’t going to get at Sale – they have far too many non-english qualified players.
So the SRU acted to hopefully make Scotland more competitive and thus finance the rest of Scottish rugby.
Of course of you think we can just pick anyone and win stuff then that’s your opinion, but its nonsense. BTW is Ashman Scottish enough for you?
Outstanding bit of business for Glasgow – what a coup. Forget how many h00kers they have already, for this fellow will be first choice for the national team before all that much longer. Don’t go along with the ‘too many’ argument either. You need two for match days and with Brown crocked that leaves just one spare. Further injuries, loss of form and rest days will soon take care of that, so adding another is essential with Europe coming up. Sale must be daft, for Ashman brings genuine quality and has already impressed when he’s been given an outing in the English Premiership. I’m very surprised, but equally delighted.
Excuse me, but, Glasgow Warriors already have three international hookers in Fraser Brown, George Turner and Grant Stewart, plus Johnny Matthews. OK, Brown is injured, but, do they really need to recruit Ashman?
One of the complaints about S6 was that the six clubs would “warehouse” players. What is Glasgow doing, if not warehousing?
We are looking to improve the standard of our pro teams which will inevitably improve our National team. So what if we’ve got good players in a position, surely we want great players.
The “ warehousing “ of players is simply resolved by releasing them to play else where or to let them play at another level. Pro players playing in the Super 6, Super 6 players playing in the Premiership. It will improve the standards and more importantly get more players playing throughout the system.
Sensible points Bear, however, Super6 is shut down until March (after the Six Nations) so there is nowhere for the unselected professional players to play.
Except that Sale have made it clear that his future is with them so he is only with Glasgow to give him game time.
Matt, one of the reasons Super 6 shuts down till after the 6 Nations is because of the players being taken away for the Internationals there are fewer pro players not getting games. Also allows the U20’s to be away to play their tournament. They key times when there are pros not getting game time are at the start of the season before internationals and squads are at their strongest and likewise after the 6 Nations. The pro teams need to release more players not getting game time into Super 6 and Super 6 players not getting game time move to play for the Premiership clubs. It will take time ( only 1.5 seasons) but I’m sure sense will prevail. 😊
You are correct Matt….. however Fraser Brown (who has been a magnificent servant to Scottish Ruvby) is nearing the end of his career, Grant Stewart likely not good enough, George Turner excellent, too brave for his own good?
Ashman will hopefully get 10 games before the 6N, that’s only good for Scotland