Lambert signs first professional deal

Glasgow Warriors have secured the services of another of their young, Scottish talents ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, after highly-rated loose-head Tom Lambert put pen to paper on his first professional contract with the club.

The prop becomes the latest player to sign terms with the club ahead of the new season, joining a front-row stable including 2021 British and Irish Lion, Zander Fagerson, international stars Oli Kebble and Enrique Pieretto and incoming arrivals Simon Berghan and Jamie Bhatti.

It caps an impressive first year in Scottish rugby for the 20-year-old, who linked up with the FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy at Scotstoun in the summer of 2020.

Prior to joining Danny Wilson’s squad, the former Sydney University student had impressed in a Scotland U20 jersey, appearing in each of the team’s matches in the 2020 U20 Six Nations.

Having earned praise from both coaches and team-mates over the course of the 2020/21 season, Lambert was rewarded with his professional debut off the bench away to Benetton in Glasgow’s opening match of the 2021 Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup.

He made his home debut in the 29-19 victory over Edinburgh at Scotstoun just a fortnight later, coming off the bench to help his team regain the 1872 Cup.

Lambert then impressed on his first start in a Glasgow jersey last weekend, producing a dynamic performance with ball in hand in the 31-24 win over Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield.

“I’ve been really enjoying my time at Glasgow,” the prop told glasgowwarriors.org.

“Coming from Australia at the start of the season, the boys have made the transition really easy. It’s an awesome club, a really good group with great values that like to train really hard on the pitch and have a laugh together off it.

“This season I’ve done a lot of work with Danny [Wilson] and the coaches on my game to ensure when I got my opportunity, I would be able to hold my own in the scrums and set piece. They have given me a really good lead-in to professional rugby, and I feel like I’m in a good place to kick on and continue to keep pushing for selection.

“I’m really hungry to play more rugby – I’ve had a taste of what it is like to play for Glasgow this season and my main focus now is to keep playing and competing for my place in the 23.

“Overall, I’m just excited to be turning professional with the club. I’ve started to build a life for myself here in Glasgow and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Head Coach Danny Wilson was pleased to secure the signature of the highly-rated young loose-head, saying: “Tom has really proved himself in recent weeks.

“He’s a good, young prospect who’s been willing to put in the hard work off the pitch throughout the season to develop his game and has earned the opportunities he’s had against Edinburgh and Benetton.

“It’s great to see another academy member turn professional and we looking forward to seeing more of him in a Glasgow jersey next season.”