Charlie Savala has signed for Glasgow Warriors next season. Image: © Craig Watson –
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GLASGOW WARRIORS have signed Scottish-qualified Australian stand-off Charlie Savala, who has spent the last two seasons playing for Northampton Saints (managing 10 first team appearances and four starts) following a three-year spell with Edinburgh (when he made 33 appearances with 14 starts).
The 25-year-old is a like-for-like replacement for Bristol Bears-bound Tom Jordan given that he has played just as often (if not more often) at centre as at stand-off for Northampton these last two seasons.
The other stand-offs in the squad at the moment are Adam Hastings and Duncan Weir, who are both signed up for at least one more year, while academy/partnership prospects Richie Simpson (if he can shake off the injury issues which have dogged him since being a stand-out performer for Scotland Under-20s in 2023) and Mathew Urwin will also hope to push for game time next season.
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Glasgow are fairly well covered in the centre with Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Stafford McDowall and Kyle Steyn all having represented Scotland in either the No 12 or 13 jersey, while Duncan Munn, Kerr Yule, Johnny Ventisei, Ben Salmon and Alex Bryden will hope to have chances to push their way up the pecking order if they are kept on next season.
Savala – who born in Sydney and qualifies for Scotland through his father from Ayr – began his rugby journey in rugby league, starting out in the Sydney Roosters academy system before switching to the 15-a-side code. He was called up to the senior Scotland squad ahead of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations but did not feature during the championship.
“I’m really excited to make the move to Glasgow,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed the last couple of seasons down at Northampton as part of a really competitive group and I feel like I’ve developed a lot, and having seen the success of Glasgow from afar, it looks like another group that I cannot wait to be a part of.
“I know a few of the boys from my time in Edinburgh and in Scotland training camps, so I’m looking forward to reconnecting with them and getting stuck in with the attacking brand of rugby that the club have been playing in recent seasons.
“I had a chat with Sione [Tuipulotu], and having tasted success with the 2024 title, it’s clear that everyone at the club is keen to build on that success and keep on pushing.
“Glasgow have always been a team that like to attack, no matter when the opportunity arises, and that’s a philosophy that really excites me and aligns with how I like to play the game. I pride myself on being able to fill whatever role the team requires of me and I want to do my bit to help this team succeed.
“I’ve had a few run-outs at Scotstoun with Edinburgh and Northampton, so I know how much of a fortress the boys have made it – I can’t wait to run out with the Warrior Nation on my side this time!”
Head coach Franco Smith added: “We are pleased to welcome Charlie to Scotstoun this summer ahead of the new season. His ability to cover a range of positions across the back-line is an important asset to us, and his attacking intent aligns with the style of rugby that we want to play.
“We look forward to bringing him into our environment, as we continue to build for the new campaign.”
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