Gibbins to join next season on three-year contract

Glasgow Warriors have signed New Zealand-born flanker Callum Gibbins ahead of the 2017/18 season, subject to visa and medical.Gibbins has signed a three-year contract keeping him at Scotstoun until at least May 2020.The 28-year-old, who plays for the Hurricanes, was a Super Rugby winner with the Wellington side last year.He will join up with his new teammates in Glasgow following his commitments with the Hurricanes and Manawatu Turbos.The open-side has played 26 times in Super Rugby and has scored three tries.Gibbins was the captain of Manawatu Turbos, where he played under incoming Warriors coaches Dave Rennie and Jason O’Halloran, and he has scored 19 tries in 60 appearances for the Mitre 10 Cup side.He becomes the third player to join the Warriors ahead of the 2017/18 season, with Stormers duo Huw Jones and Oli Kebble already signed up.Speaking to glasgowwarriors.org, Callum Gibbins said: “I’m excited about the opportunity to start a new journey with Glasgow Warriors in Scotland. “I feel privileged to be in a situation where I can make a decision like this and I’m looking forward to the new experiences that lie ahead.”Each of the teams I’ve represented, and all the fans who have supported those teams, hold a special place in my heart, and there is no doubt I’ll miss the people I’ve been involved in during my rugby career to date.”Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Callum is a hard-working player with real leadership attributes and he’s another exciting addition to the squad for next season.He is part of a winning environment right now at the Hurricanes and is a player Dave (Rennie) and Jason (O’Halloran) know well from their time coaching him at Manawatu.