Glasgow Warriors confirm 2023/24 leavers

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 15: A Glasgow Warriors team huddle during a Glasgow Warriors training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on April 15, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

The group will join Fraser Brown – whose retirement from playing at the end of the season after over a decade with the club was announced last month – as well as Ali Price and Ross Thompson, whose moves to Edinburgh have previously been confirmed, in moving on to pastures new, as Franco Smith’s squad continues to take shape ahead of the new season.

By order of Glasgow Warriors appearances, the six further leavers at the end of the season are:

Oli Kebble | Warrior #285

A popular figure with the Warrior Nation, Scotland international Kebble moves on after seven seasons at Scotstoun, having been a powerful presence in the front-row in Glasgow colours.

Capped 11 times by Scotland during his time in Glasgow, the 31-year-old became the latest Glasgow Warriors centurion last month, coming off the bench to make his 100^th appearance in the Plaster It Purple victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Scotstoun.

His most recent appearance came in Saturday’s clash with the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg, with Kebble having also helped the club to the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park and the EPCR Challenge Cup final in Dublin last year.

George Turner | Warrior #283

Dynamic hooker Turner also moves on after seven seasons at Scotstoun, having made his club debut in the same fixture as team-mate Kebble, away to Connacht in the opening match of the 2017/18 campaign.

The 31-year-old has scored 15 tries in 99 appearances to date for Franco Smith’s squad, his brand of all-action, hard-running rugby having seen him earn all 45 of his senior Scotland caps whilst at Scotstoun.

A former Macphail Scholarship recipient, Turner was one of 15 Warriors to represent Scotland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Thomas Gordon | Warrior #302

A product of Galatea RFC, openside flanker Gordon immediately caught the eye in Glasgow colours, earning Player of the Match honours on his first start at Scotstoun in a 34-10 victory over Edinburgh in April 2019.

His 75 appearances to date have seen the flanker showcase his blend of tough tackling and intuitive link play, frequently found popping up with ball in hand and linking the pack and the back division.

A memorable brace of tries sealed a 30-17 victory over Edinburgh at Scotstoun in 2022, two of his 12 tries for the club to date.

Enrique Pieretto | Warrior #313

Argentinian tight-head Pieretto will depart the club in the summer after four seasons at Scotstoun, having recently joined Super Rugby side the Waratahs on loan.

The man from Cordoba took home the Mackenzie Construction Most Improved Player of the Season award at the end of his first season at the club, having joined from Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

He made 33 appearances in Glasgow colours, most recently in victory over Benetton at Scotstoun back in November.

Lucio Sordoni | Warrior #341

Like international colleague Pieretto, tight-head Sordoni will move on this summer, having become a regular figure in the matchday 23 since arriving in the summer of 2022.

The 25-year-old – who quickly earned a reputation as one of the toughest tacklers in the squad – made his debut in the opening match of last season, featuring away to Benetton in Franco Smith’s first match in charge.

Sordoni’s first try in his 31 appearances to date came in victory over Cardiff at Scotstoun back in March, burrowing over from close range in a tightly-fought contest.

Sintu Manjezi | Warrior #342

Comfortable in either the second-row or back-row, Manjezi also departs Scotstoun after two seasons as a Glasgow Warrior, having followed former Cheetahs coach Smith to Glasgow in the summer of 2022.

The 6’6” utility forward made his debut in the same fixture as Sordoni, running out as part of the matchday squad away to Benetton in September 2022.

An athletic presence on the field, Manjezi’s sole try in his 23 appearances to date came away to Zebre Parma, charging down a box kick and showing good composure to ground the ball under pressure.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith paid tribute to the club’s leavers, saying: “We would like to thank each and every one of our leavers for their efforts throughout their time with Glasgow Warriors.

“Each of them have bought in and contributed both on and off the field, helping us to become as close-knit a playing group as we can possibly be.

“I would like to sincerely thank each player for their commitment to the club over the years, and we wish them all the very best for whatever comes next.

“Every player and their family is welcome back at Scotstoun at any point – once a Warrior, always a Warrior.”