Glasgow pluck age-grade Scotland lock from French lower leagues

Scotland Under-20s forward Hamish Bain has completed a move from Stade Nicois to Glasgow. The 22-year-old lock has spent two seasons learning his trade in the French lower leagues as part of a performance partnership with Scottish Rugby, racking up 37 appearances for Nicois and scoring three tries.

Now the Edinburgh-born second row is looking forward to returning to Scotland after agreeing to link up with new Warriors coach Danny Wilson.

Bain, who was part of the age-grade side that finished fifth at the 2017 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, told the Glasgow club’s website: “It’s exciting to be coming back to Scotland and getting the chance to play rugby on home soil.

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“I spoke to Danny and I’ve been really impressed with what he has to say about the club’s culture and his vision for the Warriors. I can’t wait to represent Glasgow. They’re a really strong side and growing up watching Edinburgh and Glasgow it’s kind of a dream come true to have the chance to be playing professional rugby for them.

“I’m honoured to be able to have the chance to compete for the jersey. I enjoyed my time at Stade Nicois and it has been really good for my game. They pride themselves on their physicality and scrummaging which has been great for development as a tight five player.”

Bain joins a list of second row options that also includes former European player of the season Leone Nakarawa, Scotland internationals Scott Cummings and Richie Gray and the recently re-signed Kiran McDonald.

Wilson said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Hamish into the squad. He is a big young athletic lock with good line-out defence and a rugby brain. He has come through the Scottish system and is spoken of in high regard by John Dalziel, who coached him at Scotland Under-20s.

“Stade Nicois play in a very physical league which will have no doubt helped his development and when he joins us he will have the chance to continue that development and learn from world-class locks like Leone Nakarawa, Richie Gray and Scott Cummings.”

"And are you going to shell out £300-400k for a slightly-better-than-mediocre Super Rugby player, or do you develop young guys?"

Jason O'Halloran talks realpolitik with @JLyall93 ; recruitment, Scottish academies, Nakarawa & Borders talent going to waste https://t.co/0lJ8TI49ef

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 21, 2020