Matawalu and Allan to depart at end of season

A brace of club centurions will depart Scotstoun at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, with Niko Matawalu and Alex Allan set to leave Glasgow Warriors following the conclusion of the Guinness Rainbow Cup.

The pair move on to pastures new having amassed 246 club appearances between them, as well as both having been part of the historic Guinness PRO12 title triumph in the 2014/15 season.

Loose-head Allan departs the club following a successful seven-year stint at Scotstoun, having initially joined the Warriors at the outset of the 2014/15 season.

The Harrogate-born prop went on to make 14 appearances in the title-winning campaign, starting in seven of the club’s fixtures en route to a first-ever Guinness PRO12 title.

His first try in a Glasgow jersey came in November 2015, touching down in a 31-19 victory over the Ospreys at Scotstoun.

Renowned for his dynamism with ball in hand in addition to his solidity at the set-piece, Allan’s abilities in the loose were on full display in a 26-17 win away to the Dragons in September 2016; collecting the ball 30 metres out, the prop’s sidestep and acceleration saw him race over for a memorable score at Rodney Parade.

He joined the list of Glasgow Warriors centurions in December 2019, coming off the bench to make his 100^th appearance for the club against La Rochelle at Scotstoun.

The 29-year-old has also earned eight caps for Scotland, having made his international debut against the USA on the 2014 summer tour.

“I am immensely proud to have represented Glasgow Warriors,” Allan told glasgowwarriors.org.

“There have been some incredible moments over the last seven years both on and off the pitch.

“I have been fortunate enough to be part of some incredible victories and I wish the team the best for the future.”

Having re-joined the club for a second spell in the summer of 2017, Matawalu picked up where he left off as a firm favourite of the Warrior Nation.

The Flying Fijian – whose debut for Glasgow came against Cardiff Blues in October 2012 – frequently displayed moments of brilliance and flair that had fans and pundits purring with approval, lighting up Scotstoun in both domestic and European competition.

Voted as the club’s Player of the Season in both 2013 and 2015, Matawalu was a key component in the 2015 title-winning squad under Gregor Townsend.

Only DTH van der Merwe and Tommy Seymour can lay claim to having scored more than the Fijian’s haul of 44 tries in Glasgow colours, the most recent of which came in March’s victory over Benetton at Scotstoun.

A veteran of two Rugby World Cups and a member of the 2015 Melrose 7s-winning Glasgow setup, Matawalu made his 100^th appearance for the Warriors in November 2018, marking the occasion with two tries and a Player of the Match-performance against Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun.

The Fijian
has also been a frequent creator for his team-mates, including a memorable
length-of-the-field assist for Nick Grigg against Leinster at Scotstoun.

“When I first joined Glasgow Warriors in 2012 the biggest thing that stood out to me was the culture that the players created. I loved how the club had clans, traditions and customs – all like Fiji,” Matawalu told glasgowwarriors.org.

“A lot of things have changed over my years here but what makes Glasgow Warriors special hasn’t.

“Glasgow is my second home and I feel an immense sense of pride to have been part of this wonderful club.

“Every time I pulled on the Warriors jersey the most important thing for me was to enjoy every moment.

“I’m ready to experience something new outside of Glasgow but I will miss and look back fondly on my time working and playing with all of my babies.”

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Danny Wilson said: “Niko and Alex have both been fantastic servants to the club.

“They depart as centurions and should be celebrated for their achievements.

“Both are good club men and we wish them all the best for the future.”