Warriors switch for Miller and Darge

Two of Scotland’s most highly-rated young back-row talents will be making the move to Glasgow Warriors this summer, with Edinburgh duo Ally Miller and Rory Darge becoming Danny Wilson’s latest recruits ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The pair
join Australia international Jack Dempsey, powerful second-row Lewis Bean, and prop pair Simon Berghan and Jamie Bhatti in bolstering the club’s pack ahead of the new
season, as well as the re-signed Scott Cummings and Thomas Gordon.

A core
member of the Scotland 7s setup, 24-year-old Miller has impressed during his 21
appearances for Edinburgh to date with his combative style of play and ability
in open field.

Comfortable
across the back-row, he has started six of Edinburgh’s Guinness PRO14 matches
to date in 2020/21.

The
Longniddry-born flanker made his World 7s Series debut in Las Vegas in 2017,
quickly establishing himself as a key member of the Scotland side.

An
appearance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast followed suit, helping
Scotland to a sixth-place finish.

Prior to
joining Edinburgh Miller made 16 appearances for London Scottish, having come
through the ranks at Melrose prior to turning professional.

Speaking on
his signing with the Warriors, Miller said: “I’m ready to take the next
step in my career and really test myself and I believe Glasgow is the right
environment in which to do that.

“I’ve been
really enjoying my rugby these last few seasons and I’m looking forward to
playing Glasgow’s free flowing brand of attacking rugby.

“Speaking to
Danny [Wilson] he liked the attacking style of rugby that I developed through
the 7s programme and that I enjoy playing.

“I’m looking
forward to playing that exciting brand of rugby Glasgow are known to play and
adding to the squad.

“I’m buzzing
to get across and get started.”

Fellow
back-rower Darge makes the move along the M8 after one season at BT
Murrayfield, having put pen to paper on his first professional contract in the
summer of 2020.

Having come
through the ranks first at North Berwick and then with Melrose, the 21-year-old
was a key member of the Southern Knights squad for the inaugural FOSROC Super6
competition in 2019/20.

It’s in the
blue of Scotland that Darge has caught the eye of national observers, however,
having been a standout performer for Scotland U20 since his debut for the
representative side in 2018.

Alongside
current Warriors Ross Thompson and Stafford McDowall, he was selected for the
2018 World Rugby U20 Championship in France, having only made his debut for the
side earlier that year.

Darge was
then named Scotland U20 captain ahead of the 2020 U20 Six Nations, leading a
team including future Glasgow team-mates Ollie Smith, Rufus McLean and Gregor
Brown to an historic 52-17 win over Wales in Colwyn Bay.

“I’m looking
forward to making the move to Glasgow,” said the flanker.

“When I
spoke with Danny he talked about what he looks for in his opensides and I think
I not only suit the mould but I also suit Glasgow’s style of play.

“From
watching Glasgow this season, I think the club is going places. If you look at
the side that played against Leinster there are a lot of young guys getting
their opportunity and playing well.

“My main
motivation right now is to play as much rugby as I can and I feel that Glasgow
will be the best place for me to do that.

“I’m
grateful for the opportunity to come into a new environment, prove myself and
earn my right to wear the jersey.”

Glasgow
Warriors Head Coach Danny Wilson was delighted to finalise the signatures for
the back-row duo, as he continues preparations for the 2021/22 season.

“I’ve
watched Ally play in recent games for Edinburgh,” he told glasgowwarriors.org.

“With his 7s
background he’s an evasive ball carrier and has a good skill set.

“Rory is an
exciting young Scottish prospect.

“He stood
out while playing for the U20s and impressed when playing in the Glasgow v
Edinburgh training game at Scotstoun, and when he came off the bench against
Leinster for his professional debut.

“He’s
physical on both sides of the ball and a talent for the future, and it’s great
to be adding more depth to an already competitive backrow.”