Tuesday 31 March 2015 16:33, UK
Newcastle Falcons have confirmed veteran Mike Blair will join Glasgow Warriors for the 2015/2016 season.
The 33-year-old, who is Scotland's most capped scrum-half and their only ever nominee for the IRB International Player of the Year, arrived at Kingston Park from Brive in the summer of 2013 and has made 39 appearances for the Falcons since.
Blair, having agreed to play for the Warriors under former team-mate Gregor Townsend, said: "I'm very excited about moving back to Scotland and joining a very ambitious club.
Mike has been a valued member of our squad and has done an excellent job for us in his time with the club.
"One of the reasons I'm moving to Glasgow is the opportunity to work with Gregor again. I played with him when I started out with Scotland and he coached me when he was part of the Scotland set-up and that was definitely a big factor in my decision to join the Warriors.
"My aim is to move into coaching and I see Gregor as being a great role model. Part of my role will be to help the younger guys develop and it will be good to work closely with the other scrum-halves at the club such as Henry Pyrgos and Grayson Hart.
'Transition'
"I had opportunities to stay in England, but I want to make a further contribution to the game in Scotland and eventually make the transition into coaching.
"I'm looking forward to playing in the Guinness PRO12 again next season and I think the style of rugby will really suit my game.”
Townsend said: "It's great news for the club that Mike will be joining us in the summer. He has been in excellent form and has started most of Newcastle's games this season.
"We expect him to compete hard for a starting place with our other nines next season and in addition bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club."
Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Mike has been a valued member of our squad and has done an excellent job for us in his time with the club.
“He has been offered a role with the Warriors that will allow him to continue playing as well as develop his skills as a coach, ahead of moving into that aspect of the game when he retires from playing.
“We are very grateful for all he has done and we wish him all the best with the Warriors."
