Shade Munro's 12 years as part of the Glasgow Warriors backroom team will come to a conclusion this summer following confirmation that the forwards coach's contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.
The 48-year-old former Scotland lock is one of three Warriors stalwarts who are set to take their leave of the club. The others are hooker Dougie Hall, who is hanging up his boots to pursue a business career, and prop Jon Welsh, who has signed for Newcastle Falcons.
Munro, who would almost certainly have played more than seven times for Scotland had injuries not blighted his career, has given continuity to Glasgow over a period that has had some tumultuous episodes. A popular figure, he survived the sackings of both Hugh Campbell and Sean Lineen, the head coaches he worked under before Gregor Townsend took over the role three years ago.
Townsend has not said whether a direct replacement for Munro has been lined up or is being sought. Early speculation has centred on the possibility that defence specialist Matt Taylor, who played in the back row for Scotland A, could widen his brief to cover forward play. However, having played in a number of different countries, Townsend has many other connections he could exploit.
With the Warriors top of the Guinness PRO12 table and pushing for a play-off place for the third successive season, the timing of the announcement of Munro's departure came as a surprise, but Townsend paid tribute to the outgoing coach.
"Shade has been at the Warriors longer than anyone else, working with three different coaches, and he's been a big part of the club's success in recent seasons," said Townsend. "He can take a lot of pride in how the contributions he's made have helped the club grow both on and off the field.
"The club continues to evolve and it was a very tough decision to move on without Shade, but we wish him all the best when he leaves us at the end of the season. I'd like to thank him for all his help over the past three years and it would be fantastic if we could achieve success in his last season with the club."
Although heading for the exit, Munro pledged his commitment over the next few vital weeks: "I've really enjoyed my time at the club and being part of something very special," he said. "I've witnessed the club growing and developing into one of the top sides in Europe, now regularly competing for the PRO12 title and that is something I'm extremely proud of.
"With five games to go we've put ourselves in a good position in the league, but there is still a lot of rugby to be played and I believe we can go one step better than last season."
Welsh's departure is bound to increase speculation that Euan Murray could be on the verge of signing a contract extension with the Warriors. Murray, who signed a one-year deal last summer, revealed recently that he was hopeful of staying longer. Welsh made a try-scoring appearance as a replacement for Scotland against Wales recently, but he has slipped down the pecking order with Glasgow, where Murray, Rossouw de Klerk and Zander Fagerson all cover the tighthead slot.
The retirement of Hall is far from unexpected. The 34-year-old is to take up a role with club sponsors McCrea Financial Services after a career which has seen him make 160 PRO12 appearances over the past 13 seasons. Having started as an apprentice with Glasgow, he subsequently moved to Edinburgh before coming back to the Warriors in 2007.
Hall said: "I've really enjoyed my time as a professional rugby player. To see the club progress as much as it has done over the last eight years and to have been a part of that has been fantastic. It's great to be able to finish my career at the same club where it all began."
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