Alex Samuel signs new Glasgow contract

01/22/2025 08:23 AM

ALEX SAMUEL has become the latest member of Franco Smith’s squad to agree a new contract – in his case a two-year deal that ties him to Glasgow until the summer of 2027.

The 22-year-old lock, a former Scotland Under-20 captain, made his full national debut against Portugal late last year. But, having been left out of Gregor Townsend’s squad for the Six Nations, he feels the priority at present is to get regular game time for the Warriors.

"I'm buzzing to sign for two more years here,” Samuel said. “I was a fan of the club long before I got here as a player, and it means a lot to me to be re-signing here for another couple of years.

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“Hopefully over the Six Nations period I'll get a good opportunity for a good run of games and I can string some starts together, keep pushing for selection. I'd love to be in the [Scotland] squad, but for now obviously Six Nations brings an opportunity here, and the better I can play here the more likely I am to be involved there. So I think for me my focus is solely here – just play as well as I can over this period."

Although he was involved in that match against Portugal, Samuel did not expect a call-up for the Scotland squad this time round. "It was awesome,” he said of his  debut. “That Portugal game was a really special day. It's a day you dream of for a long time. Yeah, it was awesome to get that opportunity.

"[This time] I knew I hadn't played much, though, so I knew my chances were . . . .  Well, I don't know. I didn't think I was going to be in it.

"They say it's a fluid squad, people can come in and out. Look, I'd love to be in there, but for now my focus will be here."

Samuel is thankfully free of injury at present, although some of his fellow-locks at Scotstoun have not been so lucky. JP du Preez is close to making a comeback after a long-term absence, Max Williamson has a broken thumb, Scott Cummings has been ruled out of most if not all of the Six Nations with a broken arm, and Jare Oguntibeju is also on the casualty list.

If and when they are all fit again, there will be some competition for places in the matchday squad. And Williamson has been especially impressed by Oguntibeju.

"Yeah, he's awesome,” he said of his team-mate. “I think he came in for a day last season and grabbed his opportunity. Now he's here and he's played extremely well in his games. I know his rehab is going well. He's nearly back – I won't commit to a game. But yeah, he's really good, he's got the X factor about him – he's a little bit special, I think. Yeah, he's been awesome this season. Specially with Richie [Gray] leaving, it's a great opportunity for all of us.

"While Richie was here I was just trying to learn off him the whole time, and even when he finally announced he was leaving it was like 'I'll try and ask him the last few questions' – I didn't want him to leave without asking things that I wanted to know.

"Scotty is great as well to learn off. Yeah, there's a really good group. Me, Max, Gregor Brown and Euan Ferrie play a bit in the role as well. It's great for us to learn off Richie, JP who is coming back into the mix, and Scott as well." 

Head coach Smith said: "We're pleased to have retained Alex for the next couple of seasons, as he continues to go from strength to strength.

"He is a player whose development excites us, and he is someone who has great potential for both club and country.

"He's also keen to learn from both coaches and team-mates at every opportunity, and we look forward to continuing to see him develop at Scotstoun."

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