Berghan to join Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors have continued their recruitment drive ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, with Scotland international prop Simon Berghan becoming the latest player to agree to join Danny Wilson’s squad this summer.

The
30-year-old makes the switch to Scotstoun following six seasons at Edinburgh,
and joins a pack that also includes the recently re-signed Scott Cummings and
Tom Gordon, as well as fellow incoming arrival Jamie Bhatti.

Standing at
6’3”, Berghan initially joined Edinburgh on a one-year deal having caught the
eye for Crusader Knights, the development squad of Super Rugby’s Crusaders.

Born in
Christchurch but Scottish-qualified by virtue of his Stirling-born grandfather,
the Shirley Boys High School alumnus quickly established a reputation for his
scrummaging prowess as well as adding a physical carrying presence to the
Edinburgh front-row.

The
tight-head has made 89 appearances to date for the capital outfit, including the
2018/19 Heineken
Champions Cup quarter-final against Munster and the 2019/20 Guinness PRO14 semi-final
clash with Ulster.

Berghan will
have the opportunity to add to his 28 caps in a Scotland jersey over the course
of the next six weeks, having been selected amongst Gregor Townsend’s playing
group for the 2021
Guinness Six Nations.

A mainstay
of Scotland squads since his international debut against France in 2017, he
started two of the most famous Scottish victories of the last decade – 2017’s
51-24 domination of Australia at BT Murrayfield and the 2018 Calcutta Cup
victory over England – in addition to being selected for the 2019 Rugby World
Cup in Japan.

His most
recent Scotland appearance came in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup, starting
against France at BT Murrayfield back in November.

Speaking
about his impending move to Scotstoun, Berghan told glasgowwarriors.org: “Danny
[Wilson] gave me a call and outlined what he’s looking to build at Scotstoun
over the next few years, and it sounds like a really exciting time to get
involved with the club.

“Everyone
talks about the culture of the club and for my partner and I it seemed like a
really sensible and exciting move.

“I’ve got to
admit, the Scotstoun crowd is always incredible. Every time I’ve come through
as an Edinburgh player the noise has been unbelievable. Players, coaches, even
friends and family all talk about how incredible the atmosphere is for a
Glasgow home game and I can’t wait to be a part of that in the near future.

“I know a
few of the boys from Scotland camps, but I’m also really looking forward to
meeting the rest of the squad, as well as the coaches and backroom staff for
the first time.

“The quality
of the front-row players at Glasgow is unreal; with Jamie [Bhatti] coming back
to Scotland next season too, you can make two, nearly three, front-rows full of
international players. There’s going to be a lot of competition for places and
a challenge I’m looking forward to. It’s an exciting prospect, and I want to
put my best foot forward and show what I’m all about.”

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Danny Wilson was delighted to secure the services of the tight-head, saying: “Adding a player of Simon’s calibre to our pack is a massive boost for us going into the 2021/22 season.

“He’s a proven performer at both club and international level, and his work ethic will make him a valuable asset to our front-row.

“I’ve worked with Simon previously in Scotland camps – he’s a very athletic tighthead prop and he’s got a wealth of experience that will also benefit our young front-rowers.”