GRANT STEWART is the latest current Glasgow Warriors to re-commit to the club ahead of next season, with the 24-year-old hooker putting pen to paper on a two-year deal which will run until the summer 2022.
Fresh from his two-try showing in Saturday night’s victory over the Dragons, Stewart said he had barely needed to think about whether to sign the new deal with the club where he got his first chance to play professionally two years ago. He has made 32 appearances since his debut against Leinster in January 2018, battling against Scotland internationalists Fraser Brown and George Turner for the No 2 jersey.
He was a member of last summer’s World Cup training squad and picked up three caps off the bench during the warm-up matches against France and Georgia, but did not make the cut for the trip to Japan.
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“It was an easy choice, really – this is a great club with a great group of boys, and it’s a pleasure to come to work every morning,” said Stewart. “I want to get as much game time over the next couple of years and keep pushing forward as much as possible. The club is in a really good place right now and I want to continue to help us to move forward and challenge in the league and in Europe.”
Glasgow Warriors forwards coach John Dalziel praised Stewart’s contribution to the side in both the tight and the loose. “He’s explosive and has really good footwork, and offers us a point of difference in our attack, so he’s a real asset to the club,” he said.
“He’s a really good young player and someone who deserves to be in and around the Scotland setup. He’s had a great introduction to professional rugby over the last 18 months or so, and now we’re looking for him to kick on. He’s done really well for us and deservedly gained international recognition, and you saw what he’s capable of on Saturday night.
“We’re lucky to have four excellent hookers with us in this playing group, and to have Grant committed for the next two years is a big boost for us.”
Stewart is the 12th player to re-commit at Warriors this season, following on from Ryan Wilson, Peter Horne, Nick Grigg, Ali Price, Rob Harley, Tommy Seymour, Kyle Steyn, Fraser Brown, Matt Fagerson, Oli Kebble and Stafford McDowall. Meanwhile, Richie Gray and Argentinean prop Enrique Pieretto have been recruited from Toulouse and Exeter Chiefs, respectively.
It has already been confirmed that Jonny Gray is leaving to join Exeter Chiefs next season, while Rory Hughes and Matt Smith are out on loan to Leicester Tigers and Edinburgh, respectively, ahead of their contracts running out in the summer.
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