How Edinburgh viewed Glasgow according to new signing Jamie Ritchie

Scotland back-rower Jamie Ritchie believes he has the attributes to slot in seamlessly to Franco Smith’s Glasgow side in the upcoming campaign.

The former Edinburgh flanker, 29, recently agreed to join Warriors after spending last season in France with Perpignan.

“For me, obviously seeing the success that Glasgow have had over the last few years is a huge motivating factor in wanting to join the group,” Ritchie said in a club interview.

“Obviously I know a lot of the boys really well and I have a great deal of respect for Franco’s coaching and what he’s done here.

“I think the way they play rugby will suit how I like to play and hopefully I can contribute really well here. I’m really excited.

“The biggest thing that comes to mind when we were previewing Glasgow whenever we (at Edinburgh) came to play them was always the threat they had with ball in hand.

“So for me, I’m really excited to be part of that. I think there’s parts of my game that can contribute to that being done well.

“I would like to think myself as a reasonably skilful player that I can pass the ball well, so when we’re in those forwards pods, that part of my game hopefully can contribute well.”

Ritchie, who knows the majority of the Glasgow squad through playing for Scotland, added: “There’s a couple of guys who I’ve known a lot longer than our professional careers. I was at school with Matt and Zander Fagerson.

“George Horne and I have known each other since we were super young, his mum used to be my tennis coach when I was about four years old.

“And I used to live with Ally Miller when we both came up together at Edinburgh, so there’s lots of guys in there that I’m super excited to be back seeing on a regular basis.”