It has been a successful 24 hours for Scottish rugby, as international half-backs George Horne, Adam Hastings and Duncan Weir have all signed new contracts.
Hastings and Horne have signed with Glasgow Warriors until at least 2021 while Weir has extended his stay at Sixways with Worcester Warriors.
Scrum-half Horne made his full Scotland debut alongside brother Pete against the USA on the 2018 summer tour and has gone on to win four caps, scoring two tries in the process.
The 23-year-old was the Warriors’ top try-scorer last season and has averaged one try in every two Warriors games, scoring 15 times in his 30 appearances.
And he will look to continue that form into 2019 as he tries to earn a spot in Gregor Townsend’s squad for the 2019 Guinness Six Nations.
Horne said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Glasgow is my first club and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first 18 months as a pro.
“It’s all been a bit of a blur to be honest but I’ve loved every second. It’s great to be able to work with Ali [Price] and Nick [Frisby] every day and I’ve learnt so much from Mike Blair too.
“Scotstoun is a great place to come to work every day and I’m excited for the future.”
Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie added: “George is a bit of a freak. In rugby you come across players who have endless stamina and other players who have gas to burn but it’s a rarity that you find a player with both, but George does.
While 22-year-old Hastings, who joined Warriors from Bath in the summer of 2017, believes that his game has improved vastly since the move to Glasgow, where Rennie’s attacking style of play has suited his approach.
Hastings, who like Horne made his debut this summer for Scotland his awaiting a Championship debut said: “He [Rennie] really pushes that attacking brand of rugby that I want to play. He’s told me to back my instincts but also telling me to do the obvious things – when it’s not on to run, it’s on to kick.
“He’s helping me with my game-management. You’ve got your instinctive stuff like running the ball out or beating defenders but he’s just helping me with the broader aspect of the game.”
Elsewhere, Weir – whose club form this season saw him recalled to Townsend’s Scotland squad for last month’s autumn internationals, has scored 57 points in 27 appearances for his country.
The 27-year-old fly-half has been at the forefront of Worcester’s impressive season, which has included wins against Leicester Tigers and Harlequins.
“I have really enjoyed pulling on the Warriors shirt,” he said. “All the lads welcomed me with open arms when I arrived in the summer and I’ve felt at home from day one.
“My aim now is to help us get some more wins and keep pushing up the Premiership table.”
