Miotti sold on Warriors’ ‘fun’ style of rugby
GLASGOW signing Domingo Miotti says he was attracted to the club by its commitment to “fun, attacking rugby”.
The 24-year-old stand-off, an Argentina international, will join the Warriors for next season subject to receiving a visa. He is currently playing for Western Force, having moved to the Australian team from the Jaguares last year.
“I’m very excited to join Glasgow,” he said. “I’ve watched some of Glasgow’s games and they play a fun, attacking style of rugby that I’m excited to be a part of. My focus for this season is to give my all for the Western Force, and when the tournament is over, focus on Glasgow Warriors.”
Miotti will compete for the No.10 jersey with Duncan Weir, who is coming back to the Warriors from Worcester, and Ross Thompson, who is enjoying an excellent rookie season. Irish veteran Ian
Keatley joined Glasgow earlier this year and has been working well with 21-year-old Thompson, but his short-term contract expires in the summer.
“Domingo is an exciting attacking prospect for us,” head coach Danny Wilson said. “He’s a young Argentina international with a strong kicking game and good ball-handling skills.”
A sevens international as a teenager, Miotti also represented Argentina at under20 and A levels before winning his first full cap in last year’s 16-16 draw with Australia in the Rugby Championship.
The signing of Miotti is just the latest step in an overhaul of that squad by Wilson, who has already transformed the look of the team’s back division by giving game time to young talents such as Ollie Smith, Rufus McLean and recent recruit Cole Forbes as well as Jamie Dobie and Thompson. Centre Sione Tuipulotu and back-three player Josh McKay will add to the competition for places among the backs.
The key signing in the pack has been Australia international back-row forward Jack Dempsey, while other notable recruits include loosehead prop Jamie Bhatti, who is returning to Scotstoun from Bath. Lewis Bean will arrive from Northampton on a permanent deal after impressing during a loan spell, and Wilson has also signed three players from rivals Edinburgh: Scotland tighthead Simon Berghan, Ally Miller and Rory Darge.
ALEX Hales’ chance of making a redemptive England return in time for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup appear to be receding, with captain Eoin Morgan insisting that he doesn’t need top-order reinforcements.
Hales has not played for his country since March 2019, exiled on the eve of the 50-over World Cup following a failed drugs test.
England went on to win that tournament without him but the issue of his potential reintegration has risen up the agenda due to the 32-year-old’s red-hot run of form over the past 12 months.
He has become one of the most reliable players on the T20 franchise circuit and played a blinder for Sydney Thunder at the recent Big Bash League, topping the charts with 543 runs at a punishing strike-rate of 161.60 per hundred balls.
But Morgan is widely believed to hold the casting vote on such matters and appears steadfast.
“I think our position on Alex still remains the same,” said Morgan.
“Only time will tell, but you look at the strength of our squad and areas that we’re trying to improve – one area we don’t struggle for players, it’s probably in the top three.”