Three young talents sign contract extensions with Glasgow Warriors
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Three young talents have put pen to paper on new deals with Glasgow Warriors ahead of the new season, after Ollie Smith, Stafford McDowall and Tom Jordan all agreed to extend their current contracts with Danny Wilson’s squad.
Head Coach Danny Wilson welcomed the news, telling glasgowwarriors.org: "We’re delighted that Ollie, Stafford and Tom have re-committed to the club.
"We’re really pleased with the way Ollie had developed physically with our strength and conditioning staff and how the has transferred that to the pitch with some brilliant performances recently. It’s great to see another young Scottish player come through.
"Stafford is a great leader, really popular member of the squad, and has a great worth ethic. He has improved his performances this season and we're looking forward to having him for upcoming campaign.
"Tom’s work ethic and drive is impressive. He’s continued his outstanding form in the Super6 and his drive to continue to learn and develop is clear for everyone to see.
"All three are great young talents and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with them in the seasons ahead."
A new contract caps off a breakout season for full-back Smith, who has rocketed himself into the national conversation after stamping his authority on the Glasgow backline in the second half of the 2021/22 season.
Having initially made his professional debut off the bench in a 23-22 victory over Edinburgh at Scotstoun in January 2021, it was on his European debut that the 21-year-old gave the Warrior Nation notice of what was to come, crossing for a brace of tries in a seven-minute cameo against eventual champions La Rochelle in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Formerly a standout for Ayr, Smith has crossed for five tries in his 19 appearances for Glasgow thus far, including a sublime take and finish from a Domingo Miotti cross-kick at BT Murrayfield last time out.
A balanced runner with ball in hand, only Jack Dempsey has made more metres in Glasgow colours than Smith’s tally of 532 in the URC this season.
STAFFORD MCDOWALL
Still only 24 himself, centre McDowall is the most experienced member of the renewed trio, having pulled on the Warriors jersey on 38 occasions to date.
Having represented Scotland at both U18 and U20 level – captaining the latter at the 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship -, he made his professional debut by coming off the bench in a win against the Isuzu Southern Kings at Scotstoun in October 2017.
Standing at 6’5”, the former Ayr man provides a physical presence in the midfield that is allied with a subtle distribution game and a cannon of a boot.
His form in his first full season as a professional in 2018/19 saw him collect the Land Rover Young Player of the Season award, dove-tailing well with Kyle Steyn in the centres in Glasgow’s run to the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park.
10 of McDowall’s appearances have come this season, which have also seen him pick up three turnovers in addition to his work in attack.
TOM JORDAN
Having signed a first-ever professional deal with Glasgow Warriors back in November 2021, FOSROC Super6 standout Jordan has been rewarded for his continually high-quality performances in the competition with an extension on his current deal.
Whilst yet to make his debut in Glasgow colours, the 23-year-old from Auckland has been in irrepressible form for Ayrshire Bulls since arriving at Millbrae, with only two players having beaten more defenders than Jordan’s 26 as he helped his team to the 2021 FOSROC Super6 title.
That form has continued into this year’s Sprint Series, with Jordan having scored three tries from his five starts for the Bulls in the competition so far.
