Glasgow Warriors have announced the signing of Jamie Ritchie, with the experienced back-row forward set to join Franco Smith’s squad at Scotstoun ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The 29-year-old arrives after spending a season with USA Perpignan, where he featured 13 times for the Top 14 outfit and played an important leadership role within the Catalan side.
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Ritchie’s move to France last summer was viewed as a significant career decision. However, a combination of injuries and the demanding nature of Top 14 rugby restricted his impact.
While he still showed glimpses of the breakdown expertise that has become a hallmark of his game, he was unable to establish sustained momentum during his spell at Perpignan.
When confirming his departure last month, USAP revealed that the former Scotland captain had chosen to return to Scotland in order to be closer to his family and children. The club also stated that it fully respected his decision.
Although injury setbacks and international commitments limited his opportunities after leaving Edinburgh, Ritchie remained highly regarded by teammates and coaches, making a positive impression whenever he was involved.
Before his move abroad, Ritchie spent 11 years with Edinburgh, making 133 appearances and crossing for 10 tries. His relentless work rate, effectiveness at the breakdown and commitment around the field made him a popular figure among supporters.
Having captained Scotland at Under-20 level, while also representing his country at Under-16 and Under-18 grades, Ritchie earned his first senior cap during the 2018 summer tour, starting in a 48-10 victory over Canada.
Capable of operating across the back row, he has since accumulated 63 caps for Scotland. His international career includes appearances at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, with Ritchie leading the national side as captain during the latter tournament.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Warriors,” Ritchie told Glasgow Warriors following the announcement.
“It’s a club for which I’ve always had a lot of respect, and I can’t wait to get started.
“Some of my best mates are there, so I’ve had a good idea of what the place is like for a while. They talk about how it pushes them to be better players, but also how close they all are off the field. That means a lot to me. You want to be somewhere you feel part of something, and Glasgow genuinely has that.
“Franco has done a brilliant job with the club. You only have to look at how competitive they’ve been over the last few years to see that, and I really enjoy the way they approach the game. It’s a style that suits me and I’m excited to be a part of it.
“I obviously know the Scotstoun crowd well enough from being on the other side of things – hopefully I’ll be getting a slightly warmer reception this time around!
“Ultimately, I just want to come in, work hard, and play my best rugby for this club. I’m really looking forward to representing Glasgow and giving everything I’ve got.”
