Hall systems go for Dougie
One of the most experienced campaigners in the Glasgow Warriors pack became the 15th leading player to sign a long-term contract extension with the club in recent months.
Dougie Hall, whose Glasgow connection extends back more than a decade, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal that will enable him to remain a key member of the Scotstoun set-up until at least the end of May 2014.
The 31-year-old hooker is vastly experienced, having made 123 appearances in the Pro12 and a further 48 in the Heineken Cup.
He was a key member of the Warriors team who reached the play-offs in May 2010, and will seek to use his powerful scrummaging and work rate in the loose to propel the side’s bid to repeat the feat this season.
Hall told www.glasgowwarriors.org: “This is a great time to be part of Glasgow Warriors and it was a straightforward decision to remain here and help the team progress.
“I’m excited about the group of players we’re assembling – I think we’re in a really good position to kick on and achieve success.
“I feel like I’m in the prime years of my career as a hooker, and the competition that exists in my position is great for the Warriors as a whole.
“There is a real sense of this being a club going places, and we’ve got a big chance to prove that in the here and now by maintaining our push for the play-offs, continuing with next Friday’s home game against Aironi.”
Head coach Sean Lineen said: “Dougie is one of our most experienced players and it’s great to know we’ll be able to call on that expertise going forward.
“In the context of what is a pretty young squad, it’s important to have senior players you can rely on to lead the way in terms of their consistency of performance. Dougie certainly ticks that box.
“We’ve been delighted with the way that he, Pat MacArthur, Fergus Thomson and Finlay Gillies have challenged each other this season. That sort of internal rivalry puts pressure on each individual to keep their standards high, and the team then reaps the reward.”
Warriors managing director Nathan Bombrys said: “It’s a really positive signal for the club to see someone like Dougie, who has been here for a good number of years, genuinely excited about the atmosphere and potential he detects around the place.
“We’re very pleased that he has bought into what we’re putting in place at the Warriors, and we’re convinced he has some great years ahead of him.”
Hall was an apprentice with Glasgow Caledonians and a professional with Glasgow Rugby before moving to Edinburgh in 2002. He switched back to the other end of the M8 in 2007, and has been a mainstay ever since for the Warriors.
He has won 37 caps for Scotland, most recently against Argentina at the Rugby World Cup last year.
The Warriors’ quest to reach the Pro12 play-offs continues on Friday 23 March when Italian side Aironi come to Firhill.
