Warriors keep their 'Killer Bees'
Fri, 02 May 2008 16:10
Three Glasgow Warriors players put pen to paper this week in time for the Warriors' Magners League clash with Ulster at Ravenhill on Saturday.
Scotland back row Kelly Brown, wing Thom Evans and second row Dan Turner all make Sean Lineen's starting XV - handing the Glasgow head coach a massive boost as he continues preparations for the 2008/09 season.
On his securing the services of all three players until 2010, Lineen said: "Kelly Brown has been nothing short of inspirational and Dan Turner has created real competition with Alastair Kellock, which is what every coach wants. Dan never gives anything less than 100 percent.
"As for Thom, he's a classy international player in the making. It was crucial that we kept him, he's a real crowd pleaser."
Kelly Brown's signature means Glasgow's 'Killer Bees' back row will remain intact until 2010 as John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie both committed to the club earlier in the season.
After his first season with Glasgow, Brown commented: "I've really enjoyed my first season with Glasgow and I'm excited about where this club is going. With the bulk of the squad staying together, I'm confident Glasgow will continue to be a competitive force in the years ahead."
Now Scottish qualified through residency, Dan Turner made his Scotland A team debut in the 67-7 thrashing of Ireland A at McDiarmid Park back in February.
Turner added: "This season has definitely been eventful, but I've learnt a lot in the last few months. Being involved in Glasgow's Heineken Cup campaign this year, especially in the win over Biarritz, has been a highlight but I'm pretty proud of my involvement with the Scotland A team as well. I'm now Scottish-qualified so it's important for me that I have the chance to continue playing in Scotland."
This season saw the Evans brothers feature in the same starting line-up for the first time and their partnership both on and off the field is going from strength to strength.
Thom said: "It's been a great year for Glasgow and a really good year for my brother and me. I'm really excited about working with Sean and the boys for another two seasons."
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Max Evans, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Thom Evans, 10 Dan Parks (captain), 9 Colin Gregor, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Dan Turner, 4 Opeta Palepoi, 3 Moray Low, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Eric Milligan, 17 Andy Newman, 18 Kevin Tkachuk, 19 James Eddie, 20 Sam Pinder, 21 Scott Barrow, 22 Hefin O'Hare.
Date: Saturday, May 3
Venue: Ravenhill Park, Belfast
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: Alan Rogan (Ireland), Johan Carvill (Ireland)
Assessor: Brian Stirling
(Ireland)
