GLASGOW WARRIORS have announced that winger Rory Hughes and flanker Matt Smith will leave the club at the end of the 2019-20 season.
The pair were on loan to Leicester Tigers and Edinburgh, respectively, when the season went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 crisis, as they looked to pick up valuable game time ahead of their contracts running put this summer. Tigers announced earlier this month that Hughes will not be returning to Welford Road next season.
Scotland international Hughes made his first start for Glasgow Warriors at home to Connacht in February 2014, going on to make 48 appearances to date for the club. He has also represented Scotland 7s.
Smith’s debut for the Warriors came in a February 2017 visit to the Ospreys, the first of 25 appearances in a Glasgow jersey. He represented Scotland at Under-20s level, and was involved in the senior Scotland training squad during the 2018-19 season.
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“It’s always sad to see local boys leave the club,” said head coach Dave Rennie, who will also leave the club this summer, to take charge of the Australia rugby team. “Both Matt and Rory play in positions in which we have considerable depth, and understandably went on loan to Leicester and Edinburgh respectively in the hope of getting more game time.
“Matt is a tough, feisty openside who always brings an edge to training and playing, and Rory’s best traits are his physicality and work ethic.
“Both are good club men, popular with their peers and their contribution to the team and club over the past few years has been appreciated.”
Scottish rugby must be close to having enough decent players for a third pro team, maybe with the exception of a few problem positions. Smith in particular is still young for a back row. Hopefully these guys can still make a living playing rugby as they’re good players.