The Scotsman

Tagive follows Scotland call-up by signing new Glasgow deal

- By PATRICK MCPARTLIN

Glasgow Warriors wing Ratu Tagive has capped a memorable few months by signing a new two-year deal to keep him at Scotstoun until the summer of 2022.

The Sydney-born back becomes the 13th player to pledge his immediate future to the club as incoming head coach Danny Wilson continues his preparatio­n for the 2020/21 campaign.

The 28-year-old made his debut for Warriors in 2017 but enjoyed a fine 2019/20 season before the suspension of sport due to the coronaviru­s.

Tagive crossed the whitewash in successive Guinness Pro14 matches against Southern Kings and Zebre before making his Heineken Champions Cup debut and earning his first Scotland call in January.

Although he has yet to win his first cap, he was part of the national squad during the Six Nations after qualifying for Scotland on residency grounds.

Speaking about signing his new Warriors contract, Tagive said: “It was a really easy decision for me. I don’t think I could have imagined going anywhere else to be honest.

“I saw Leone [Nakarawa]’s interview when he re-signed in January, and he said he made the choice to come back here because Glasgow was the first club to invest in him and give him a shot.

“I feel the exact same way – the Warriors gave me my initial crack, and to be able to pay that back and stay on makes me incredibly happy.

“It’s been an amazing year on the field for me. I couldn’t ask for much more – to get my Heineken Champions Cup debut and then my first internatio­nal call-up has been incredible.

“More than anything, though, it’s been exciting to get out there and be able to show what I can bring to the team.

“I can’t thank the fans enough for their support so far this season, and I’m looking forward to getting back out in front of them when everything gets back to normal. Stay safe, and we’ll see you soon.”

Wilson, who will succeed Dave Rennie in the summer, hailed the player’s developmen­t, adding: “He’s flourished as part of the Glasgow environmen­t, and he’s establishe­d himself firmly within the squad.

“His form and desire to work hard for his team-mates was recognised with his internatio­nal call-up in January, and I’m really pleased that he’s committed his future to the Warriors. I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

“It’s been an amazing year on the field for me. I couldn’t ask for much more – to get my Champions Cup debut and then my first internatio­nal call-up”

RATU TAGIVE

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 ??  ?? 0 Ratu Tagive has flourished at Glasgow and his form earned him a call-up from Gregor Townsend for this season’s Six Nations, left.
0 Ratu Tagive has flourished at Glasgow and his form earned him a call-up from Gregor Townsend for this season’s Six Nations, left.

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