Wallabies forward Jack Dempsey has signed for Glasgow Warriors for the 2021-22 season but says that the decision to leave the Waratahs was “incredibly tough”.
Wallabies and Waratahs forward Jack Dempsey will join Glasgow Warriors for the 2021-22 season, the Scottish club has announced.
The 26-year-old back rower, who has been capped 14 times by Australia, is the latest addition to head coach Danny Wilson’s pack but admits it was an “incredibly tough” decision to leave the Waratahs.
He has scored eight tries in 44 appearances for the Super Rugby side with whom he claimed the Australian conference title on two occasions during his seven seasons in New South Wales.
Dempsey told the Warriors’ official website: “I’m very excited to be starting the next phase of my professional rugby career in Scotland with Glasgow Warriors for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
“Departing NSW was an incredibly tough decision. It’s a club I have spent my entire professional career (at) since joining at the end of 2014.
“However, the move to Glasgow presents such a different challenge both in lifestyle and rugby, and personally it feels like the right time to take that challenge head-on.”
Welcoming Dempsey to Scotstoun, Wilson said: “Jack is a really exciting addition to our squad.
“For a 26-year-old, he’s very experienced. He can play across the back row and is extremely dynamic, a great ball carrier and an impressive defender, who gets over in the ball and jackals well.
“We’ve been looking to strengthen our back-row options for next season and Jack is just the man to do that.”
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Jimbo: I wonder how many excellent players are not the same after a serious injury? I think we should make an allowance for that in judging players performances. There is a guy I met in my area who had one game for the Wallabies, was badly injured and never made it back to that level again. As ex-players and keen fans, we need to acknowledge that injury is a factor in performance and for most it is not their 'ticker', 'lack of commitment' 'never fulfilled their promise' or any other reason.
Malo
Guest
So over rated . No loss
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Big things grow in Glasgow. They don’t win much but seem to have found a decent coach at last.
Jimbo
Roar Rookie
His pre-injury form seemed to have been lost but he was improving I thought. He'll have a lot of competition when he returns.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Probably a good move for him. Seems to be on the outer at Wallaby level as he hasn't taken the most of opportunities at Test level. Good luck to him !
Fin
Roar Rookie
Can't see him featuring in a Wallaby side ATM so probably a good option for him. The Tahs need him to have a big season in Hoopers absence but can probably cope without him after that. I hope he gets some consistent injury rugby in overseas otherwise I think he'll be remembered as a player who played a few very good games but failed to deliver on his potential. You never know at 26 there is time for him to come back and deliver on that potential.