Trio of leading players set to leave Glasgow
Move suggests continued role for Hodge
MARK Bennett’s post-season move from Glasgow to Edinburgh was confirmed yesterday, while the centre’s explanation for the switch has offered the clearest sign yet that acting head coach Duncan Hodge will continue to have a role with the capital club next season.
The departures of back-row forward Josh Strauss and loosehead prop Gordon Reid at the end of the season were also announced as the Warriors continue to reshape their squad prior to the arrival of Dave Rennie as Gregor Townsend’s successor.
Bennett’s move had been on the cards since the Warriors started negotiating to sign Huw Jones from the Stormers in South Africa. Jones and Alex Dunbar are set to be Rennie’s first-choice partnership at centre, replicating what has become Vern Cotter’s preferred pairing for Scotland.
Bennett, who has 19 Scotland caps, has signed a three-year contract and is set to become one of Edinburgh’s most influential players. He rejoined Glasgow in 2012 after a brief spell in French club rugby and could easily have had the option of a return to France, but a move across country has the obvious appeal of ensuring regular first-team rugby.
“A key factor in my decision was that there’s a young squad at Edinburgh who are going in the right direction, and I feel like I can add to that,” Bennett said. “At 24, I think I could be one of the older boys in the Edinburgh back line, which would be a new experience, but one that I’m looking forward to next season.
“I’ve also worked with Duncan Hodge before as part of the Scotland set-up and I like his approach to the game as well. I think he is a very good coach and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”
Hodge, the former Scotland stand-off who has also served as the national team’s attack coach, has been Edinburgh’s interim head coach since the team parted company with Alan Solomons earlier in the season.
The team have played a more open and attractive brand of rugby since he took the helm, but there has as yet been no official word about his future from within Murrayfield. Bennett’s words, however, are a clear indication that there will at least be some degree of continuity in the Edinburgh coaching set-up next season.
“We’re delighted that Mark will be joining the club ahead of next season,” Hodge said. “It is great to welcome a young, Scottish international to the club. He’s a phenomenal player, who has accomplished a lot both at club and international level, and his experience will be a welcome addition to our back line.
“Having worked with Mark over a number of years, I know he is ambitious and motivated to develop his own game, as well as providing leadership to those around him.
“This will be of huge benefit to the squad and we look forward to welcoming him here at Edinburgh.”
Bennett follows Duncan Weir and the Bryce brothers, Kevin and Glenn, in making the move east.
Like Bennett, Reid, 29, played his club rugby for Ayr before becoming a full-time Warrior in 2011. He has 21 caps and has now played more than 100 times for Glasgow, and has been linked with a move to London Irish, who are currently undefeated in the English Championship and look odds on for an immediate return to the top flight.
Thirty-year-old Strauss joined the Warriors in September 2012 from the Lions, one of South Africa’s Super Rugby representatives.
He has also made more than 100 appearances for the Warriors, and has 11 caps.
“Although there is a lot of rugby still to be played this season, I’d like to acknowledge and thank Gordy, Josh and Mark’s invaluable contributions,” Glasgow head coach Townsend said.
“We look forward to them ending their time at the Warriors with the same commitment and skill they have shown already this season and wish them well in the next stages of their careers.”
It was announced last week that Simone Favaro, the Italian back-row forward, will also be allowed to leave Glasgow at the end of the season.
A key factor in my decision was that there’s a young squad at Edinburgh who are going in the right direction, and I feel I can add to that