Scotland prop Gordon Reid signs for Northampton

Scotland international Gordon Reid has signed for Northampton Saints until the end of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.

The 33-year-old loosehead boasts a wealth of experience at the very highest level and arrives at Franklin’s Gardens from PRO14 outfit Glasgow Warriors and Super6 side Ayrshire Bulls – having been available for both clubs this season on a partnership deal.

Reid has won 41 international caps for Scotland since making his debut in 2014, playing in two World Cups and was part of the 2018 Calcutta Cup-winning side at Murrayfield.

After winning the Scottish Premier League with Ayr in 2009, Reid signed his first professional contract with Glasgow the following season and went on to make over 100 appearances in his first stint with the club, playing an integral part in their PRO12 triumph in 2014/15.

The 6ft 2in, 18-stone front row then spent two seasons at London Irish before returning to hometown club Ayr and featuring in all four of Scotland’s matches at the 2019 World Cup.

“I’m really excited to get this opportunity to return to the Gallagher Premiership and contribute towards what will hopefully be a successful season for Northampton,” said Reid.

“This is a club steeped in history and pedigree and the team have played some quality rugby already this year, showing they are genuine contenders for silverware. So I’m looking forward to getting into training straight away and putting my hand up for selection.”

Northampton scrum coach Matt Ferguson added: “We’ve been really happy with how Manny Iyogun and Toby Trinder have been going with England U20s and Coventry respectively, but we felt like we needed some experienced support for Francois van Wyk and Ben Franks after Alex Waller’s injury.

“So to get someone of Gordon’s quality, straight in from training with Scotland’s Six Nations squad, is excellent news for us. I worked with him at London Irish – so he knows the Premiership – and I found him to be not only a very strong scrummager but also a great character with plenty of grit. He was certainly top of the shopping list for us.

“He’s very much about helping others and imparting knowledge, which is a key feature of our front-row group. We wanted someone who was going to fit straight into our group and into the culture of Saints, so I’m stoked he is here. We’re very grateful to both Glasgow and Ayr for releasing him.”

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