Samuel extends contract with Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors second-rower Alex Samuel says he is excited to continue his development at Scotstoun, after agreeing to put pen to paper on a new deal with his boyhood club.

The 23-year-old has become an integral part of the Glasgow pack since making his senior debut for the club in a 37-0 win over Benetton back in November 2022, impressing with his physicality in both attack and defence in addition to his work at the set-piece.

Samuel has made 58 appearances to date for Franco Smith’s squad, featuring prominently throughout last season’s table-topping campaign in the BKT United Rugby Championship and in the club’s run to the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.

A product of the club’s academy, the 6’9” second-rower previously represented Ayrshire Bulls in the FOSROC Super6, having come through the ranks at Madras.

He made supporters and pundits alike sit up and take notice with a statement performance in a 38-17 victory over Leinster at Scotstoun back in March, a series of highlight-reel worthy defensive reads helping him to earn the BKT Player of the Match award.

A former Scotland U20 captain, Samuel made his senior Scotland debut in a victory over Portugal at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in November 2024, and was selected in the Nations Championship squad that toured Argentina and South Africa this summer.

“It feels great,” Samuel told glasgowwarriors.org following his contract renewal.

“I’m looking forward to the next few years, and with the way the club is moving it was a pretty easy decision to stay.

“I’ve obviously been fortunate enough to play a lot of games in the last year or so, which has certainly allowed me to keep improving my game. The environment here is second to none, too, and that’s really put me in the best position possible for my own development.

“It’s great fun coming to work every day with your mates, and with guys that you’ve grown up playing alongside. It makes everything so much easier and I feel like we’re really building something together here at Scotstoun.

“I just want to keep improving and put my hand up for selection once I’m back fully fit. I’d obviously love to play for Scotland more as well, but first things first I’ve got to get myself back into the best form possible for Glasgow and give my all for the club.”

Head Coach Smith added: “As both a player and a person, Alex has contributed a great deal to our environment – he is a great influence at the club and the way he goes about his business is a credit to both him and his family.

“He provides a physical edge both with and without the ball, regularly putting in the hard work to put his team in the best position possible.

“He also possesses a real drive and desire to improve and become the best version of himself that he can be, and he is someone we believe will only continue to get better and be