Jamie Ritchie: Glasgow Warriors to sign Scotland back-row

Scotland back-row Jamie Ritchie has agreed a deal to join Glasgow Warriors this summer from Perpignan.

The former Edinburgh captain will move to Scotstoun on a two-year deal and bolster a Warriors squad that is losing a string of established players at the end of this season.

Scotland trio Jack Dempsey, Adam Hastings and Huw Jones are among the players moving on.

Having spent 11 years with Edinburgh after joining the club straight from school, Ritchie left the capital side at the end of last season to move to France.

The 29-year-old was handed the Perpignan captaincy in his debut season and has been a key figure in their battle to avoid relegation from the Top 14.

He resumed the role on his return from a leg injury suffered in Scotland’s Six Nations win over England in February, that sidelined him for two months.

Despite being just one year into his spell with Perpignan, it is thought Ritchie was keen to return to Scotland to be closer to his young family.

South African back-row Ruwald van der Merwe and Australian utility back Bayley Kuenzle will also join Warriors this summer as head coach Franco Smith reshapes his squad.