Maitland to be a Scottish Warrior

Crusaders outside back Sean Maitland, who qualifies to play for Scotland, has become the latest southern hemisphere star to sign for Glasgow Warriors.

The 24-year-old Canterbury man, equally adept on the wing or at fullback, is one of the most highly rated outside backs in Super Rugby, and qualifies to play for Scotland courtesy of both his paternal Grandparents who were born in Glasgow.

Subject to medical and visa, he will join up with the Warriors squad in the coming weeks, having put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at Scotstoun Stadium until at least the end of May 2015.

Since making his Super Rugby debut in 2008, Maitland has scored 24 tries, equaling the record for the most individual touchdowns in a single game when he crossed the whitewash four times against the Brumbies in 2011.

He was a part of the New Zealand Under-19 team that won the World Cup in 2007, and the U20 side that scooped the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship. Maitland scored against Argentina, Ireland and Wales in that latter tournament.

In 2010, he represented the New Zealand Maori team, and also scored two tries for the Crusaders at Twickenham in their showcase Super Rugby game against the Sharks in March 2011.

Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend hailed his latest signing.

He said: "We're delighted to be welcoming a player of Sean Maitland's calibre to Glasgow Warriors.

"The back three is an area of the team where we already have a number of excellent options, and Sean will provide a further layer of quality as we enter another busy phase of the season.

"His try-scoring record in Super Rugby speaks for itself, and he's also a player who has a big appetite for self-improvement. He will be a fantastic addition to our squad and will, I'm sure, be very popular with our supporters.

"It's another indication of the increasing profile of Glasgow Warriors that a player of Sean's ability and ambition sees us as a club where he can continue to progress."

Maitland is the second high-profile addition to the Warriors ranks from Super Rugby in as many months. Former Lions captain Josh Strauss has already made a significant impact in the Glasgow loose tro, scoring a try in the recent European Cup match away to Northampton Saints.