Walker extends contract with Glasgow Warriors

One of Scotland’s most highly-rated young front-rowers has pledged his future to Glasgow Warriors, after Murphy Walker put pen to paper on a new deal with Franco Smith’s squad.

The 24-year-old tight-head becomes the latest international to extend his stay at Scotstoun, following in the footsteps of club and Scotland team-mates Huw Jones and Jamie Dobie – as well as incoming signings Adam Hastings and Rory Sutherland – in agreeing terms with the Warriors ahead of the 2024/25 season.

A product of Dundee Eagles, where he first played alongside childhood friend and fellow future Warrior, Angus Fraser, Walker first linked up with the Scotstoun outfit ahead of the 2019/20 season before graduating from the club’s senior academy in January 2022.

Having previously captained a Strathallan School squad that also contained Ollie Smith to Scottish Schools Cup glory in 2018, the prop made his professional debut by coming off the bench in a 35-24 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks at Scotstoun in October 2021.

His first start in Glasgow colours came in a memorable 30-17 win over Edinburgh at Scotstoun, turning in an eye-catching performance in the front-row in front of the Warrior Nation.

Walker has made 11 appearances for the club to date, as well as representing both Glasgow Warriors A and Stirling Wolves in the FOSROC Super Series.

A Scotland cap at U18 and U20 level, Walker’s form in a Glasgow shirt saw him earn his senior international debut in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series off the bench against Fiji, before winning his second cap a fortnight later against Argentina at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Speaking on The Squadcast, the official podcast of Glasgow Warriors, about his new deal, Walker said: “It was an easy decision to re-sign with the club, really.

“It’s been a strange couple of years, as it’s been so long since I’ve played a professional game for the club because of injury lay-offs and so on, but at the same time I’ve played for Scotland last summer and been involved with the A team.

“The overriding emotion for me when it comes to the last two years as a Warrior has probably been frustration to be honest, just because of the run of injuries and when they’ve come about, so when it came to it, renewing was such a straightforward decision. I want to put my best foot forward, and I feel like I owe everyone – from the boys to the coaches to the supporters – and show them all what I can do and what I’ve been working on.

“I just want to get back to playing rugby and playing well, and giving everything for this club. I can’t wait to be back out there in front of the supporters once more.”

Head Coach Smith added: “We are pleased to have secured Murphy’s services for another couple of seasons.

“Whilst he has endured his share of bad luck with injuries, he has worked extremely hard with our medical and S&C teams to get back to full fitness and put himself in the best possible position.

“He has shown he is willing to do whatever it takes to become the best version of himself on and off the field, and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”