Warriors signing surge continues with Swinson

Posted on Feb 21, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

Glasgow Warriors have made their second significant signing in as many days, with confirmation that Newcastle Falcons lock Tim Swinson is to move to the Scotstoun-based club for the start of season 2012/13.

Coming hard on the heels of the announcement that Tonga Rugby World Cup star Viliami Ma’afu has also been secured for the coming campaign, the news represents a further major boost to the Warriors’ forward planning.

Swinson is one of the most highly rated and consistent locks in the English Premiership, where he has racked up 82 appearances since making his Falcons debut in 2007.

The 25-year-old’s fantastic form in 2010/11 saw him named Newcastle Player of the Season, and he has continued to impress during the current campaign.

He is the Warriors’ third confirmed new signing for next season, with Sean Lamont having pledged to return to the club where he made his name. Glasgow have also re-signed 12 leading players in recent months.

Swinson, a one-time Australian Grand finalist with Sydney University, is eligible to play for Scotland, courtesy of a maternal grandmother from Glasgow. He has signed a two-year contract with the Warriors, taking him up to the end of May 2014.

The second row told www.glasgowwarriors.org: “I’m really pleased to have signed for a club with the ambition and bright future of Glasgow Warriors.

“They’ve made real progress in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season, and with the signings and re-signings they’ve made, they’re clearly very determined to build on that and achieve success.

“I’m thoroughly looking forward to throwing myself into the cause come the summer, but for now it’s about focussing on helping Newcastle Falcons secure their Aviva Premiership status.

“There is a great team environment at the club, and everything I’ve seen and heard about the Warriors suggests that’s very much the case in Glasgow as well. It’s going to be a really positive place and team to be part of. I leave the Falcons on good terms and the move has been handled well on both sides.”

Head coach Sean Lineen welcomed Swinson’s signing, saying: “We see this as a very positive step in our planning for next season. Tim is a player who has consistently stood out in one of the toughest testing grounds for a second row forward, the English Premiership.

“He’s a battle-hardened competitor who relishes the physical side of the game, and he’s not one for taking a backward step with the pressure’s really on.

“We’re delighted to have him on board. He’ll give us another great option in an area of the team where we’ve already got a good number of guys challenging for jerseys, and it’s another strong piece in the jigsaw for what should be a really exciting chapter in the club’s history.”

Warriors managing director Nathan Bombrys said: “This is a huge week for everyone at Glasgow Warriors, with Leinster coming to Firhill on Saturday for a very significant game in the RaboDirect PRO12.

“Everyone is fully focussed on achieving success this season, but it’s vital that we also make plans to maintain our momentum going forward, and the arrival of Tim Swinson is a major part of that.

“He’s a quality lock who has a real appetite to progress. He’s impressed us with how keen he is to come here, and we’re very happy to have secured his signature.”

News of Swinson’s signing comes just four days before Glasgow Warriors put their RaboDirect PRO12 play-off aspirations to the test in a vital clash with table-topping Leinster at Firhill (kick-off 6pm).

Pennell signs new contract at Warriors

Posted on Feb 16, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Full back Chris Pennell has today become the latest player to pledge his future to Worcester Warriors after having signed a new contract with the club.

Home-grown ace Pennell, a product of the Warriors Academy system, has so far made 70 senior appearances for Worcester over the last five seasons and scored 15 tries.

The 24-year-old, who can play full back, wing or centre, has been one of the star performers at Warriors in recent seasons, culminating with being named club captain in 2010.

Head Coach Richard Hill said: “Chris is a player who, from the first moment I arrived at Sixways, I have always been impressed by. He has an absolutely superb attitude and real leadership qualities.

“He has endured a wretched time over the last few years with the injuries he has sustained and has shown great resolve and strength of character to comeback stronger.

“At the moment we are seeing him get back to real top form again and signs of the huge potential we all know he has got.

“Chris is a consistent performer, a great defender, hard tackler and someone who understands our defensive system under Phil Larder. He is also an excellent kicker with ball in hand and makes the right decisions, which is crucial for the position he plays in the team.

“I know that Chris will only get better at Warriors and so we are delighted to retain his services and that he will continue his career here.”

Pennell first broke into the Worcester team during the 2007/08 season when he made his Premiership debut away against Bath. Pennell made a total of 20 appearances during his first senior season for Warriors, including 12 in the top-flight.

Worcester born-and-bred, Pennell has represented England at Under-19 level and became a key performer for the club during the 2008/09 campaign until he suffered a serious knee injury in European competition.

The dynamic back returned to full fitness in the 2009/10 season and made a further 16 appearances during the campaign and scored five tries.

Pennell’s commitment and determination to battle back from adversity was again tested last season when, just weeks after being named captain, he suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out of the first half of the RFU Championship season. However, Pennell again came back stronger and played a key role from full back as promotion was secured back to the top-flight of English rugby.

“I’m obviously very pleased to be able to stay at a club that means so much to me,” said Pennell. “I am really enjoying my rugby at Sixways at the current time and being a part of the tight knit group of players that we have at the club.

“The team has started 2012 in strong fashion, particularly on home soil, and we’re all looking forward to making more progress not only in the closing months of the current Aviva Premiership season but also the future.

“We are approaching that time of year when some players will ultimately move on and new faces will come in. However, I’m excited by the club’s plans to take us to the next level and we have a very strong core of players that not only have the right work ethic but also a real determination to bring success to Sixways.”

Wing ace Lemi to join the Warriors

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have today announced the signing of winger David Lemi from RaboDirect PRO12 giants Glasgow Warriors.

Samoa international Lemi, a proven try scorer in both the domestic and international arena, will make his move to Sixways from the 2012/13 season.

The former Bristol and London Wasps speedster, who has featured in the last two Rugby World Cups for his country, has a fantastic pedigree in the English top-flight having scored an impressive 36 tries in 95 games.

Head Coach Richard Hill said: “David is a try scorer and in today’s game, when defences are tight and it can be hard to manufacture tries, many come down to individual brilliance. David is the kind of player that makes things happen, a match winner and do things others do not expect.

“His ability from playing sevens means he has the ability to kick and chase at the right time and has a great side step. He brings something different to the game and poses a challenge for defenders.

“David also has an excellent work ethic and will fit into the culture at the club and be determined to make a big impression at Warriors. We look forward to welcoming him from next season.”

Lemi was an established figure on the IRB 7s circuit when he first captured the eye of current Worcester Head Coach Richard Hill during the 2005 Safari Sevens in Kenya and later joined Bristol.

The electric back quickly impressed in the 2005/o6 season and scored eight tries in 12 appearances,finishing runner-up in the Premiership try scoring charts in his debut year as he became a firm favourite at the Memorial Stadium.

Renowned for his pace, Lemi has won a host of accolades for spectacular individual scores and finished as the top scorer in the league in the 2006/07 season. He also finished joint second top try scorer in the 2008/09, when he also won The Sunday Times Try of the Season Award for the try he scored against Bath Rugby in the first game of the season.

Lemi said: “I’m really looking forward to the move to Worcester; it is a fantastic and big challenge for me to move to a club with such ambition as the Warriors.

“I always enjoyed the style of rugby and what I achieved at Bristol under the leadership of Richard Hill and the chance to work with him again is a huge incentive for me.

“Worcester have some very talented young and up-and-coming players at the club and the challenge for me will be to show that I am worthy of a place in the team and also use my experience to be successful at Sixways.

“I would like to thank Scottish Rugby and Glasgow Warriors for the wonderful opportunity I’ve been given this season. I’ve really enjoyed my time in Glasgow as part of a fantastic squad of players under a strong management team. We are in a good position in the RaboDirect PRO12, and I remain totally committed to helping Glasgow reach the play-offs and make this season a successful one before I head to Worcester.”

Garvey leaves Worcester

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have today announced that Marcel Garvey will leave the club at the end of the current season.

Electric wing Garvey has been at Sixways since 2006 and has played over a century of games for the club.

The hugely popular back, a favourite with both team-mates and the Worcester supporters, has made 120 appearances and scored 45 tries during his eye-catching Warriors career to date.

“I’ve had a truly fantastic time at the Warriors and it has been a very difficult decision to decide to move on at the end of this season,” said Garvey.

“I have some amazing team-mates around me at Sixways and I have been lucky enough to work with a great coaching team that I am sure will bring success in the future.

“Worcester has been my home over the last six seasons and I already have many happy memories. However, being a professional rugby player opens up opportunities and it is important for me that I experience as much as I can in the future.

“I’d like to thank everybody at the Warriors who has helped and supported me during my time here, especially our superb supporters. We are so lucky at Sixways to have the fans that we do backing us every week and I will always be grateful for the unwavering support they have shown me.

“I would reiterate, I remain a Warrior and until the last game of this season I’ll give my absolute all for this club. I have always regarded it as an honour every time I walk onto the pitch to play for Worcester.

“We still have a great deal to play for this season and real ambition to move up the Aviva Premiership table. I will be pushing as hard I can to make sure we finish strongly.”

Head Coach Richard Hill paid tribute to Garvey and said: “We are obviously disappointed to be losing Marcel at the end of the season but he will leave with our very best wishes.

“I have been delighted with Marcel during my time at the club; he has been one of the standout performers in the squad who has been consistently impressive week in and week out for us. He has given his all every time he has pulled on the jersey.

“He has been on really top form over the last couple of years and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. He remains one of the best wingers in the country in my eyes and leaves some big shoes to fill.

“Marcel always plays a very physical game for a winger and has scored some fantastic tries. Virtually everyone stands out and whether he has six inches to work in or 80 metres he always finishes for us.

“Try scoring is a great quality to have, these men are the equivalent to your strikers in football who score your goals, and we now aim to replace that with the recruitment of David Lemi.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Marcel for his service and professionalism whilst at Warriors. I know he will give everything in the time he has left at Sixways and will want to finish his career on a really high note.”

There will be no further comment from Marcel Garvey on this issue at this time.

Horne extension music to Warrior ears

Posted on Jan 17, 2012 in Glasgow, Scottish Rugby

Peter Horne today became the latest highly rated rising star to be secured on a long-term contract by Glasgow Warriors.

The 22-year-old centre has put pen to paper on a new deal that will see him play a pivotal role in the club’s progress until at least the end of May 2015.

Currently a contracted member of the Scotland 7s squad, Horne, like back-row forward James Eddie, will complete his commitments in the abbreviated game before rejoining the Warriors set-up on a full-time basis in the summer.

With a leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series coming to Scotstoun Stadium in May, the Fifer is in line for an early sample of on-field action at the ground that will be the Warriors’ playing home from next season.

Prior to joining up with the Scotland 7s earlier this campaign, Horne was in fine form for Sean Lineen’s men, underlining his attacking threat with a brilliantly constructed match-winning try in the historic RaboDirect PRO12 victory away to Leinster.

The former Howe of Fife and West of Scotland player said: “I’m thrilled to have signed a new contract with the Warriors. All the signs are that it’s going to be an exciting place to be over the next few years, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be part of that.

“I’m really enjoying my time with Scotland 7s, and with six tournaments to play, including the one in Glasgow, there’s a huge amount to look forward to on that front over the rest of the season.

“I’ll be giving my all to win selection for those tournaments and help the team achieve success, before coming back to the Warriors and doing my bit to help the club build on the positive signs we’ve seen both on and off the pitch this season.”

Head coach Lineen commented: “Identifying and tying down our best young players is key to the progress everyone at Glasgow Warriors strongly believes is possible over this and the coming seasons.

“I’ve been a big fan of Pete for quite some time, and he’s really come on as a player since he joined us from the National Academy in 2009. He’s got the full range of skills for the modern centre – great hands, a confident kicking game, and an excellent step.

“Allied to those gifts, he’s one of the bravest guys around and he’ll run himself into the ground for the team. Playing with Scotland 7s has been fantastic for his game, especially his decision-making under pressure, and I’m really looking forward to working with him to ensure he fulfils his undoubted potential.”

Horne is the tenth Warriors player to commit his long-term future to the club in recent months, joining Chris Cusiter, Eddie, Chris Fusaro, Ryan Grant, Rob Harley, Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Duncan Weir and Ryan Wilson.

Glasgow, who can still qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals, finish their Heineken Cup Pool 3 campaign with a game against Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm).

They then face Scarlets at Firhill on Thursday 9 February (kick-off 7.05pm) in a clash that’s crucial to their bid to remain in the RaboDirect PRO12 play-off places.