Glasgow Warriors have secured two more of their key players on contract extensions as Scotland duo Henry Pyrgos and Tommy Seymour have agreed terms for two more years.
Scrum-half Pyrgos (25) and wing Seymour (26) have both signed on until at least May 2017. This follows Glasgow securing another two of their key men Josh Strauss and Leone Nakarawa on extensions, although last week they announced that Fijian fan favourite Niko Matawalu was leaving for Bath.
Glasgow are also rumoured to be seeking to sign Nasi Manu, the co-captain of Super Rugby side Highlanders.
Seymour, who was born in Nashville and grew up in Northern Ireland but is Scottish qualified through his parents, came to Glasgow for Ulster in 2011 and has scored 20 tries in 62 appearances for the Warriors.
In the last year he has become a fixture for Scotland as well as Glasgow, scoring six tries in 13 appearances including a try in each of the three Autumn Internationals last November.
Seymour said: “I’m really enjoying my rugby and I’m very happy to be staying at the Warriors.
“The four years I’ve been at the club have been hugely enjoyable and we’ve come on really strongly as a team and our identity has grown.
“My coaches and teammates have helped me massively in my development as a player and I’m delighted I get to spend another two years continuing that development, playing in front of a crowd that is second to none.”
Pyrgos joined Glasgow as an Elite Development Player in 2010, and has made 90 appearances for the club while scoring 54 points. He also has 13 caps for Scotland, with two tries to his name.
With Chris Cusiter’s departure last year and Matawalu’s this summer, the scrum-half, who is also an occasional goalkicker and has captained the Warriors on several occasions, is likely to take on an even more influential role.
“It’s been great to see the club grow since I’ve been here and I’m looking forward to playing in front of our really passionate supporters for another two years,” he said.
“Scotstoun has become a real home for us, captaining the team has been a huge honour and I’m delighted to be staying in Glasgow. I believe we’ve got a squad capable of winning trophies.
“Playing for the Warriors has enabled me to play for my country and I believe being at Glasgow gives me the opportunity to push on for more caps.”
Head coach Gregor Townsend is tying down the players he believes to be “key drivers in our development”while there are also reports the warriors are actively seeking new recruits.
An experienced scrum-half to back-up and challenge Pyrgos is one need high on their shopping list while French rugby publication Midi-Olympique reported yesterday that Glasgow are vying with French Top 14 side Castres for the signature of Manu, the 26-year-old Highlanders No 8.
Manu has made 50 appearances for the Otago-based Super Rugby team. He played for New Zealand schools and Under-20 and previously for the Crusaders, as well as for Canterbury in New Zealand provincial rugby.