Hooker Matthews to exit Glasgow for Montauban
Hooker Johnny Matthews is to join the summer exodus from Glasgow Warriors, with the France-bound Scotland-capped hooker becoming the fifth experienced player to have his departure confirmed. Scotland backs Huw Jones and Adam Hastings and international forwards Jack Dempsey and Jamie Bhatti had already been revealed as players heading for new clubs. Now attack coach Nigel Carolan has told reporters that 32-year-old Matthews has agreed a three-year contract with Montauban, who sit bottom of the French Top 14 and will be relegated a year after winning promotion.
"There was an option for Johnny, but it probably wasn't a long-term option," Carolan revealed. "He's got a pretty good deal. Lawes to leave Brive and make Prem return in England Leinster beat Edinburgh in Champions Cup thriller Glasgow battle past Bulls to reach quarter-finals "He's got a multi-year deal in France.
Something that suits him and his young family. " Carolan sees the summer exits as part of a natural "evolution" of the United Rugby Championship club's squad, with younger players progressing from the academy to take their places. "It's where he is now in our pecking order over the last couple of, the last few months," he said of Matthews, who has two Scotland caps and has proved a prolific try scorer since arriving in 2019.
"Gregor Hiddleston has stepped up and, more recently, Seb Stephen has stepped up. And, even looking behind that, you've Tavi Tuipulotu coming through in the academy, you've got Joe Roberts in the academy, who's going to be poking his head into the senior squad next year as well. " Related internet links Scottish Rugby Union