Stafford McDowall extend stay with Glasgow Warriors

Scotland centre Stafford McDowall has committed his future to Glasgow Warriors, signing a new contract with the club under the leadership of head coach Franco Smith.

McDowall, a Stewartry RFC product, has been a central figure for Glasgow since his professional debut in 2017 against the Southern Kings. The 26-year-old has made 81 appearances and scored 16 tries, establishing himself as a lynchpin in the midfield.

The 2023/24 season marked a standout campaign for McDowall, as he played a pivotal role in Glasgow’s BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) title victory.

Featuring in 17 of the team’s 18 regular-season matches, McDowall’s consistent performances earned him the Denholm Energy Services Players’ Player of the Season award at the club’s end-of-season ceremony.

In addition to his contributions as a player, McDowall has embraced a leadership role within the team.

He captained the Warriors for the first time in a win against Perpignan in January 2023 and continued to deputize for club captain Kyle Steyn throughout the 2023/24 season.

Expressing his excitement about the contract extension, McDowall said: “It’s the club that I grew up supporting and a club that I take great pride in representing on and off the field. The brand of rugby we play is a really exciting one, and I hope the fans enjoy watching as much as we enjoy playing.”

He also emphasized his leadership ambitions and his determination to help Glasgow defend their URC title while pushing for success in European competitions.

McDowall added, “I want to play my part in helping this group defend the URC title and push forward to challenge in Europe. I can’t wait to get back out there on Friday night if selected.”