The focus of Scottish rugby's signing spree shifted west yesterday as Glasgow Warriors confirmed that Scotland sevens player Byron McGuigan has signed a deal that will keep him at the Scotstoun-bound club for the next two years.
Coming hard on the heels of a spate of signings by Edinburgh, McGuigan has been in Glasgow's sights since he hooked up with the Scotland sevens squad at the start of this year. He has since played in four HSBC Sevens World Series events, scoring five tries in the process.
A versatile centre in the XV-a-side game, the 22-year-old was born in Namibia, raised in Cape Town and was previously on the books of the South African provincial side Border Bulldogs. He earns his Scottish qualification by way of his Scots-born mother, Carol.
McGuigan is likely to be involved with the Scotland sevens side at next month's Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s, an event that will give him an early glance of the Scotstoun stadium that will be Glasgow's new home from next season.
"Byron is a player with real potential," said Sean Lineen, the Glasgow head coach who will take on a wider scouting role for Scottish Rugby when he hands the Warriors' reins to Gregor Townsend at the end of this season.
"We've kept a keen eye on him during his involvement with the Scotland 7s team, and we're convinced he has the right attributes to be an asset to Glasgow Warriors.
"He's strong, creative and has a great step and work ethic. He's primarily an outside centre, but he's capable of contributing strongly in any of the back three positions, as well. We've been impressed with how keen he is to come here and prove himself in the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup."
A product of the renowned Western Province Academy in Cape Town, McGuigan has spent two years with the Bulldogs. He is the latest in a series of signings from outside Scotland by Glasgow, with All Blacks forward Angus MacDonald, Tongan No.8 Villiami Ma'afu and Newcastle Falcons lock Tim Swinson also heading to the club in the near future.
"I'm proud and honoured to be joining a club like Glasgow Warriors," said McGuigan after completing the deal. "The calibre of player in the squad is strong, there are lots of quality individuals signing and re-signing and the move to the great facilities at Scotstoun Stadium is going to help the club put down roots.
"I can't wait to sample the passion the rugby public in west of Scotland have for the game when the Glasgow 7s takes place in three weeks' time, and I'm really looking forward to running out there in the Warriors black-and-blue when next season rolls around."
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