'Not a concern': Glasgow brush off growing player drain

Assistant coach Roddy Grant backed Jack Dempsey to bow out of Glasgow on a high after the influential Scotland back-rower’s summer departure was confirmed on Tuesday.

The Australia-born 31-year-old will join Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in a move likely to have implications for his international career.

Dempsey arrived at Glasgow from Waratahs in 2021 and has established himself as a key player for both club and country.

“Jack’s been great for us,” said Grant. “He’s a great player. Unfortunately, he’s not (going to be) with us. But it’s pro sport and we wish him all the best.

“There’s still a lot of big rugby to go. He’s been really good for us this season and obviously for Scotland as well, but certainly now we come into this big block of games, and he’ll be focused on the real business part of this season.

“He’s really competitive. In the big games, he always plays well. We’ve certainly got a big chunk of big, important games coming up so I’ve got no doubt whatsoever he’ll turn up and deliver.”

When fellow forwards Richie Gray and George Turner moved from Glasgow to Japan in recent seasons, it effectively ruled them out of contention for Scotland due to a clash in schedules.

Grant said he had not had a chance to speak to Dempsey, who won his 39th Scotland cap in Saturday’s Six Nations defeat by Ireland, to find out how his decision might impact his international future.

In a further development, it was announced that Scotland prop Jamie Bhatti, who has notched 132 appearances over two spells at Scotstoun, is rejoining Bath in the summer.

“Jamie’s played a lot of rugby here,” said Grant. “He’s been great for Glasgow, he really cares about the club.

“He’s a good man around the squad with a lot of experience. I’ve only worked with him this season, but we wish him all the best.”

It was announced earlier this year that influential backs Huw Jones and Adam Hastings would be leaving Glasgow to move to France in the summer, while Tom Jordan was lured to Bristol last summer.

“It’s not a concern, it’s reality,” said Grant when asked about the number of high-calibre exits from the club.

“You won’t be able to keep everyone you’d like to in this market, really, compared to these other big teams or leagues.

“But certainly our retention is great, and we’re one of the best teams in the league (URC). But you can’t control things you can’t control. It’s part of pro sport.”

Grant revealed second-row Gregor Brown will “not be back any time soon” after sustaining a hamstring injury in Scotland’s victory over France.

Fellow lock Scott Cummings, who suffered a calf injury in the same match, is likely to return next month.