FORMER Scotland Under-20 international Nathan McBeth has joined Glasgow from South Africa’s Lions, saying the move to the Warriors is a dream come true.
Now 23, the loosehead prop played for both Scotland and South Africa at under-20 level in 2018. It remains to be seen if his move north will bring full honours with Gregor Townsend‘s team.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to join the Warriors,” McBeth said in a Warriors press release. “It will be an honour to represent them for the next few years. I can’t wait to meet the team and start to train with them.
Glasgow v Leinster: Warriors brought down to earth with a bump
“It’s a dream come true for me. Glasgow has always stood out for me because of the exciting brand of rugby that they play and I’m very excited to become a part of that.”
Glasgow have been short of looseheads recently and had to recruit Brad Thyer from Cardiff Blues on a short-term loan. Jamie Bhatti started in the position in Friday night’s match aganst Leinster, while Oli Kebble – who is seen by Townsend as capable of playing at tight-head too – was on the bench.
Australian-born/raised former Scotland Under-20s loose-head Tom Lambert graduated from the academy to a senior contract ahead of this season, but the 20-year-old is currently out of action with a short-term injury.
“Nathan is a player we’ve had our eye on for some time,” Warriors coach Danny Wilson said. “He’s a physical ball-carrier and a young man who is willing to learn and improve his own game. To be able to add a young, Scottish-qualified prop of his calibre is a real boost and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
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Glasgow v Leinster: Warriors brought down to earth with a bump
it matters because suggesting or hinting that McBeth had been signed after Thornton had performed so well this season is poor form or uninformed at best, deliberately stirring at worst. I don’t want to see tabloid sensationalism.
By my count Glasgow have 8 props signed up (plus McQuillen as a back up). Need to register a minimum of 6 for the HC. Props are regularly injured, and between Scotland games and then rest periods, Fagerson will be lucky to play more than 4 leagues games this season for Glasgow, more if they get to the play offs. Kebble may be with Scotland, also Berghan when he regains fitness. 8 props is bare minimum requirement.
More so as McBeth and Lambert have still to prove they can make the grade, and we may lose props as we agree – squads change every season.
Septic does it matter what mr Vallance knows.As you have stated squads change players get injured.Thornton is back training at glasgow now so game time in super 6 has served him well.There are 10 plus props at glasgow so where is the game time.Thats it keep loading them in what’s going to happen to all the young glasgow props.Yes they will be in the same postion in a year or two as george Thornton
it matters because suggesting or hinting that McBeth had been signed after Thornton had performed so well this season is poor form or uninformed at best, deliberately stirring at worst. I don’t want to see tabloid sensationalism.
By my count Glasgow have 8 props signed up (plus McQuillen as a back up). Need to register a minimum of 6 for the HC. Props are regularly injured, and between Scotland games and then rest periods, Fagerson will be lucky to play more than 4 leagues games this season for Glasgow, more if they get to the play offs. Kebble may be with Scotland, also Berghan when he regains fitness. 8 props is bare minimum requirement.
More so as McBeth and Lambert have still to prove they can make the grade, and we may lose props as we agree – squads change every season.
Mr Vallance is being a bit naughty.
Thornton has indeed been very good in S6 this season, we can agree on that.
But Thornton in 2 seasons did not do enough to secure a retention at Glasgow. Before that he didn’t do enough to be retained by Wasps, not exactly a team renowned for their scrummaging.
So he went to S6 and did really well. Trouble is McBeth was announced this week but the deal was not done this week. It did not wait until we saw how Thornton went in the S6 this season. It was done months ago, as deals usually are. Mr Vallance knows this, or a journalist should know.
It was IIRC also reported in SA media a few months back.
Squads change every season, sometimes in season due to injuries. I’d be delighted if Thornton has used S6 to improve and show his worth and is next cab off the rank here or elsewhere – he is still young enough to succeed as a pro player
Michael why would Thornton go back to glasgow.His contract didnt get renewed so he left and got a super 6 team.Just as mat balance said he was the best loose head in super 6. This is what happens when you get regular game time 60 plus min per week for boys like him.As for your comment our props are not good enough and we need to farm in props you may be right.We then need to look at what we are doing with our young props.Then see why as you put are not good enough.Bottom line this doesnt send out a good signal to young props like thornton that were stuck in the system.
I mentioned Glasgow because Matt said he didn’t get much of a chance, implying that he would be good enough if he got more game time at Glasgow. Playing well in Super6 doesn’t necessarily mean you’re good enough at the pro level. Thornton isn’t far off 25 and couldn’t convince multiple coaches at Wasps and Glasgow that he was good enough. I don’t think Thornton was stuck in the system – he was let go by Wasps and Glasgow gave him a chance for a couple of years when he was in his early to mid 20s.
I think we need more people playing the game. That’s obviously a very difficult and long-term issue to tackle. In the mean time, we need players from abroad in order to compete with other tier 1 sides.
In regards to him “breaking into Gregor Townsend’s full team”, surely that will have to be earned by playing well at Glasgow :/?
Mat Valance it’s just a numbers game at glasgow signing these boys.They will be in the same postion as George Thornton.lack of game time sitting in the background waiting for a shot.You only need to look at Thornton and Nairn regular game time at super 6.Scottish rugby is going backwards.Could you imagine being glasgow 5th choice loose head waiting for your chance.There needs to be a res league for these boys to play in week in week out.
A lot of Super 6 ( 6 squads ) now twiddling their thumbs waiting for spring time.
How is this benefiting Scottish rugby.
Doesn’t seem to be an Avenue to pro rugby for these players when pro clubs keep signing foreigners .
Disillusionment has already set in I see with players not given a fair crack leaving
I think we can now accept – if you haven’t done time as a prop in South Africa, the two Scottish full-time clubs are not interested in signing you. Good luck to the boy, but, I hope he gets more of a chance with Glasgow than George Thornton did. You know, the guy who has been the outstandign loose-head prop in the S6 this season.
Most of our home-based props aren’t good enough. If we want to compete internationally, then we need to recruit from other nations – Thornton was also an SQ player. McBeth is a better player and Thornton performing well in the Super6 as a 24 year old who has been in a pro environment their whole career doesn’t mean Glasgow should be renewing his contract and giving him plenty game time.