Scotland 7s star Byron McGuigan pens two-year deal with Glasgow Warriors

Apr 18 2012

NAMIBIAN-born centre Byron McGuigan has signed a two-year contract with Glasgow Warriors after impressing head coach Sean Lineen on Scotland 7s duty.

The 22-year-old starred for Scotland in the HSBC Sevens World Series, scoring five tries in his first two tournaments in Wellington and Las Vegas.

The player, who grew up in Cape Town but has a Glaswegian mother, emerged from the Western Province academy before winning a contract at the Border Bulldogs two years ago.

Lineen said: "Byron is a player with real potential.

"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 for Glasgow Warriors.

"He's strong, he's creative and he's got 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."

McGuigan's signing takes to five the new additions to the Warriors squad for season 2012/13.

All Black back rower Angus MacDonald, Tonga World Cup number eight Villiami Ma'afu, reigning Newcastle Falcons Player of the Season lock Tim Swinson and returning fans' favourite Sean Lamont have all been secured.

Some 19 leading Warriors players have also put pen to paper on contract extensions in recent months.

With the Warriors' move to Scotstoun firmly on the horizon, McGuigan will get an early taste of the ground he will call home next season when the inaugural Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s is staged at the stadium on 5/6 May.

Saturday, May 5 promises to be one of the biggest days in Glasgow rugby history, the Warriors looking to clinch a place in the RaboDirect PRO12 play-offs when they take on Connacht at Firhill.