The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Son of Scotland legend Gavin Hastings signs for Glasgow
RUGBY: Hastings, Horne and Kelly will play their part in a new beginning
Glasgow Warriors have signed three of Scotland’s best young players for next season as they prepare for a new era under Kiwi coach Dave Rennie.
The long-rumoured signing of standoff Adam Hastings – son of former Scotland and Lions legend Gavin – from Bath has been confirmed with the 20-year-old penning a two-year deal.
And the Warriors have given a first professional contract to George Horne, Hastings’ half-back partner with Scotland Under-20s last season and the brother of current Glasgow and Scotland centre Peter.
Centre Paddy Kelly, who also played with Scotland Under-20s this season and like Horne has also been attached to the Warriors’ Academy, has also signed a one-year contract to move up to the full-time squad.
Horne and Kelly have already played for the Warriors this season with the Cupar-born scrum-half teamed up with his brother for the first time in the latter stages of the win over Connacht at Scotstoun two weeks ago.
Hastings, meanwhile, has played 12 times for Bath this season despite being third in the stand-off pecking order behind England’s regular 10 George Ford and the Welsh internationalist Rhys Priestland.
He is a product of his father and uncle Scott’s old school George Watson’s College and also of Millfield School in Somerset, where new club-mate Huw Jones also attended.
Hastings has represented Scotland at all age-grade levels, playing for the Under-20s seven times, and will likely be Glasgow’s second choice stand-off behind Finn Russell.
“From a young age I wanted to play for Scotland and I believe playing in Scotland is the right decision for me at this stage of my career,” he said. “As a young 10 it’s important to get game-time and hopefully I’ll get that opportunity in Glasgow.
“I’m excited about working under Dave Rennie as I’ve heard he is a world class coach. I like to run the ball, I’m quite an instinctive player and I like to have a crack. I like the way Finn (Russell) plays and I can’t wait to get up there and learn from him.
“Glasgow are flying at the moment, qualifying for the quarter-finals in Europe was a big statement of where the club is going and I’m excited to be joining them next season.”
Horne and Kelly have come through the ranks together and have been playing in the BT Premiership with Glasgow Hawks. Horne, the younger son of Howe of Fife head coach Garry, also impressed on the HSBC World Sevens Series tournaments for Scotland this season.
“It was a different experience playing at a higher level, seeing some of the world and playing against some top guys,” he said. “It has helped me and given me confidence going into the professional set-up and playing 15s.
“It was pretty special to play with my brother against Connacht, it was a special day for our family with mum and dad both there as well.
“Pete has had a great career so far and hopefully we’ll now get to play a few more games together for Glasgow.”
Kelly, like Horne, has spent some developmental time with London Scottish as well as with the Academy and Hawks.
Warriors’ head coach Gregor Townsend welcomed all three newcomers to the club as he prepares to move to coach Scotland in the summer.
“George and Paddy have worked extremely hard for this opportunity and it’s great to see two more players graduate from our academy,” he said.
“That’s five have signed professional contracts with us this season and a total of 13 players who remain at the club have come through our system over the last three years.
“It’s a testament of the quality of the young players and also a great reflection on the developmental pathway we have in place.”