Dobie signs long-term deal with Glasgow Warriors

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Warriors' Jamie Dobie during a pre-season friendly between Glasgow Warriors and Zebre Parma at Scotstoun Stadium, on September 30, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The news sees the 22-year-old – who became the first player born after the millennium to represent Glasgow Warriors when he made his debut in the opening match of the 2019/20 campaign away to the Toyota Cheetahs – becomes the fifth Scotland international to extend his stay at Scotstoun, as preparations continue for the 2024/25 campaign and beyond.

Having originally come through the ranks at Highland RFC, Inverness-born Dobie signed his first professional contract with the Warriors straight from school, helping Merchiston Castle to Scottish Schools Cup glory at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in December 2018.

The scrum-half has made 56 appearances for the club to date across his five seasons at Scotstoun, including being named as the Land Rover Young Player of the Season at the end of his debut campaign.

His versatility has also seen him line up on the wing for Franco Smith’s squad, including in last season’s famous away win over Munster at Thomond Park and in the 40-7 victory over the Dragons in Origin Round at Scotstoun last time out.

His form for the Warriors saw the then 19-year-old first called into a senior Scotland squad ahead of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, before making his international debut off the bench in a 60-14 victory over Tonga in the 2021 autumn series at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

A keen tennis player in his youth, Dobie also enjoyed a brief short-term loan deal with Bay of Plenty in the summer of 2022, making three appearances for the New Zealand outfit.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be staying,” Dobie told glasgowwarriors.org.

“Seeing where the squad is at the moment and the potential within this group made it a really straightforward decision for me to extend my contract with the club. The depth we have here shows that we’re in a really good place to push on and challenge for silverware.

“Looking back, I definitely came into Glasgow as a boy rather than as a player immediately ready for pro rugby, and those first couple of years were so important for my development. Getting used to playing in front of crowds at Scotstoun and developing my skills really gave me the platform to kick on, and now the next step for me is to kick on even further and put my hand up to be involved in the big matches at the business end of the season.

“Franco and the coaches talk a lot about our goal, which is to be the best version of ourselves every time we represent this club. Everyone is pulling towards the same destination and our target is to be consistently challenging for silverware.

“We want to push on and bring a trophy back to Scotstoun and I know the supporters will be with us every step of the journey.”

Head Coach Franco Smith added: “Jamie’s skillset and attributes are clear for all to see every time he runs out for this club, and he is a young man full of potential to grow and develop on and off the field.

“He possesses a real ‘squad-first’ mentality and has a great drive to be the best version of himself, as well as developing into a leader within our group at Scotstoun.

“His work ethic and desire to succeed makes him a valuable asset to our squad and we are delighted that he has extended his contract with us.”