France-bound Johnny Matthews gives parting vow to Glasgow Warriors

Johnny Matthews says he will always support Glasgow Warriors as he looks to sign off with the club by winning another BKT United Rugby Championship title.

The hooker will bring down the curtain on a seven-year stay with the Scottish side at the end of this season when he moves on to join French outfit Montauban. But first he will be aiming to help them claim the league crown for the second time in three years.

He played a key part in them moving back to the top of the table on the weekend as he touched down twice in a 40-17 bonus point victory over Cardiff Rugby at Scotstoun.

That took his tally of tries for the club up to a remarkable 53 from 107 appearances with his prolific finishing off driving mauls having become a real trademark. He now stands third on Glasgow’s all-time list, with only George Horne (65) and DTH van der Merwe (54) ahead of him.

He has one more regular season fixture to come – away to Ulster Rugby on Friday night – and then it’s into the play-offs, with a home quarter-final already guaranteed. For the 32-year-old Matthews, it will be the final chapter of a memorable story.

“It’s just been a joy to play for this club and it’s a club I will always support,” he said. “My mum and dad have travelled far and wide with the club and I think they will always hold it in a special place in their hearts.

“I’ve loved my time in Glasgow and it’s going to be tough leaving. I’ve been here for the last seven years. So to say goodbye, I think it’s probably going to get harder and harder every week.

“It’s certainly going to be emotional. But we’ve got four games to go, all being well, and we’ll make the most of it. That’s where my focus is and trying to finish the season as a double URC champion – that’s what my aim is.”

United Rugby Championship

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

17

12

5

0

60

2

Stormers

17

12

4

1

59

3

Leinster

17

11

6

0

58

4

Bulls

17

11

6

0

54

5

Lions

17

10

6

1

53

6

Munster

17

10

7

0

51

7

Cardiff Rugby

17

10

7

0

50

8

Ulster

17

9

7

1

50

9

Connacht

17

9

8

0

49

10

Sharks

17

7

9

1

41

11

Ospreys

17

7

8

2

39

12

Edinburgh

17

7

10

0

38

13

Benetton

17

6

9

2

33

14

Scarlets

17

4

12

1

25

15

Dragons RFC

17

3

11

3

25

16

Zebre

17

2

15

0

15

Matthews’ popularity with the Glasgow fans was demonstrated by the reception he received when he came off following his try double against Cardiff. “It was lovely to get the ovation from the crowd and to get that moment. It’s something I will always cherish,” he said. “It was an emotional week. We touched on that, the boys leaving and how much they have given to the shirt.”

Born and raised in Liverpool, Everton fan Matthews was more into football as a youngster, but things changed when he attended the city’s St Edward’s College, the school which produced England rugby stars Mike Slemen and Kyran Bracken.

That led to him playing for Liverpool Collegiate RFC, before linking up with Leeds as a teenager. From there, he had spells with Manchester-based Sedgley Park – scoring 29 tries in 26 appearances – Otley and Rotherham as he trod the rugby boards in the north of England.

Then, in 2017, came the big move as he headed up to Scotland, where his mother was born.

He spent two years with Edinburgh club Boroughmuir before being signed by Glasgow, initially as cover during the 2019 World Cup and then on a permanent basis. He has gone from strength to strength over the years, making his mark with his all-action approach and predatory prowess.

In May 2022, he became the first Glasgow hooker to claim a hat-trick of tries, against Zebre Parma. The following year, he set a new club record, as the first player in Warriors history to touch down five times in a match, during an EPCR Challenge Cup victory over Dragons RFC. Then, in the 2023-24 campaign, he topped the URC try-scoring chart with 14 as Glasgow won the title.

Reflecting on his prolific strike-rate, he says: “It’s something I’ve tried to have as part of my game and I have always been able to find the line. But I’ve also been lucky enough to play in sides that had fantastic driving mauls. I am always quick to credit the lads in front here, especially with the maul, because without them the man at the back wouldn’t be able to get the ball over the line. We do work really hard on it in training and I think that shows through.”

Matthews was 26 before he signed his first professional contract, but he has made up for lost time as a real late developer, starring for Glasgow and winning a couple of caps for Scotland.

“I think it shows there’s definitely a different pathway to get into the professional game rather than just going through the Academy system,” he said.

“It’s maybe some hope for those boys that didn’t quite make it in the early stages, that if you keep plying your trade and keep performing, the opportunities will come later on.”