The capture of Ritchie will be a boost to Glasgow Warriors fans worried that the loss of senior international players such as Huw Jones, Adam Hastings and fellow back-rower Jack Dempsey will leave the squad short of depth and experience next season.
South African back-row Ruwald van der Merwe and Australian utility back Bayley Kuenzle will also join Warriors this summer as head coach Franco Smith reshapes his squad.
Other back-rows on the Warriors roster for next season are fellow Scotland caps Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson and Gregor Brown, plus up-and-comers Euan Ferrie, Macenzzie Duncan, Angus Fraser and Dylan Cockburn. Meanwhile, Ally Miller and Sione Vailanu with the latter’s impending departure having already been confirmed by Warriors assistant coach Scott Forrest.
Ritchie is a club legend at Edinburgh, but their need when it comes to recruitment is not in the back-row, where they are well stocked for next season by club captain Magnus Bradbury, Liam McConnell, Freddy Douglas, Ben Muncaster, Luke Crosbie, Tom Currie, Tom Dodd and Dylan Richardson, plus academy prospect Ollie Duncan (currently on loan to London Scottish).
Ritchie’s return to club rugby in Scotland will be welcomed – and likely have been encouraged – by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, as it means his game-time can be managed to suit the national cause ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia.