Nick Grigg quits Glasgow after securing an early release from deal

Scotland international Nick Grigg will quit Glasgow Warriors at the end of the calendar year after agreeing to an early release from his contract to take up an offer from the Japanese side NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. The centre departs Scotstoun after nearly six years with the Warriors, having made his debut in a 12-6 victory over Leinster back in March 2016.

The 29-year-old has made 95 appearances to date in Glasgow colours, including helping the club to two Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals and the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park.

Grigg, the New Zealander who won nine Scotland caps, will link up with his new side in early 2022 as they prepare for the inaugural Japan Rugby League One season, with the Osaka-based franchise having also added South Africa fly-half Elton Jantjies to their squad ahead of the new campaign.

“Playing for Glasgow Warriors has completely changed my life for the better and I have loved every minute of it,” Grigg told the Scottish club's website. “It was such a scary thing to do to leave your home country and to move to the other side of the world, but the prospect of playing at Glasgow Warriors and playing professional rugby was too good to turn down.

“It has been so good being a Glasgow Warrior. Everyone who comes into the club comments on how good the environment here is – the players, the people and the culture – and I’ve got to experience that for six years. It’s what makes this club so special and it’s going to be sad to leave.

“There have been a lot of highlights for me both on and off the pitch at Glasgow. I’ll always remember my first cap against Leinster back in March 2016, and my 50th against Scarlets when we went down to 14 men early on and still got the victory – there have been so many amazing moments. It’s sad to leave Glasgow but I’m looking forward to my next adventure. Danny (Wilson), Al (Kellock) and my agent Tom Beattie have worked hard and given me the chance to take this new opportunity - it’s a fresh start for me.

“I’ll be closer to home and my family, and I get to experience a new culture. Again, it’s quite scary but when I made that move here it completely changed my life. I’m going to miss Glasgow, the fans and the boys but it’s going to be another amazing experience to move over to Japan and play rugby.”

Glasgow boss Danny Wilson added: “Nick is a well-liked character within our squad who has had some really good performances in a Glasgow Warriors shirt over the past six seasons. He is someone who always gave his all for the club and who was never afraid to front up to the challenge in front of him. He will be missed in our environment and we wish him all the best for the future as he starts the next chapter of his career in Japan.”