Wilson to leave Glasgow Warriors at end of season

Glasgow Warriors double centurion Ryan Wilson will leave the club at the end of the 2022/23 season, bringing an end to a 13-year-long association with the Scotstoun outfit.

Only Rob Harley has pulled on a Glasgow jersey on more occasions than Wilson’s tally of 220 to date, the pair having made their professional debuts together in a September 2010 clash with Leinster at Firhill.

The 33-year-old has been at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in the professional history of Glasgow Warriors, including the 2015 Guinness PRO12 Final victory over Munster at the Kingspan Stadium and helping the club reach a first-ever Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final in 2017.

Wilson was also one of six players to cross the whitewash in the famous 43-0 victory over Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in January 2017, before becoming only the second player in club history to reach a double century of appearances when coming off the bench away to Exeter in January 2022.

The back-rower served as club captain from 2017 until 2022, having initially been named on a solo basis by Dave Rennie ahead of the former Head Coach’s first season in charge.

He then served as co-captain alongside first Callum Gibbins, then Fraser Brown, before handing over the captaincy to current skipper Kyle Steyn.

Wilson has also served his country with distinction since his senior international debut against Wales in 2013, winning 50 caps in the dark blue jersey of Scotland.

The most recent of those appearances came in memorable fashion during the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, coming off the bench to help Scotland to a first win on French soil since 1999.

He also holds the distinction of being the only Scotland A captain to taste victory in England, having led a Shade Munro-coached squad to a 13-9 win over England Saxons in Newcastle in January 2013.

“I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to represent this club,” Wilson said.

“We’ve been so lucky to have some unbelievable players come through, but some even better men.

“I’ve been through some very low lows and some exceptional highs, and I’m incredibly thankful to have had Bex and the kids with me through them all.

“Winning the title is definitely right up there with the greatest memories in my time here. It had been such a massive journey to get to that point – make the semis but lose, then make the semis and win, then the final in Dublin that we lost, then finally the semi-final win over Ulster and that final victory over Munster in 2015. Everything clicked that day. I’ll never forget it.

“If people look back and realise how much I’ve poured into the jersey every time, then I’ll be a happy man.”

Head Coach Franco Smith added: “From day one, Ryan made me feel welcome as part of the Glasgow Warriors family.

“His professional and playing approach is of such high quality, and his influence on the playing group has been clear this season.

“He’s a fantastic person to have within this club environment and his pride at representing Glasgow Warriors is clear for all to see. We wish him all the very best for whatever comes next.”

Al Kellock, Managing Director, said: “Ryan was a pleasure to play alongside from his first step into the professional environment in 2010, and he’s been a fantastic man to work with over the last couple of seasons since I took this role.

“The legacy he leaves behind is one that places his team and his team-mates first. He will go out of his way to make sure his team-mates are well looked after, and he has always given everything every time he has pulled on the jersey.

“I cannot thank him enough for what he’s done for this club and wish him all the best for the future.”