GLASGOW WARRIORS head coach Danny Wilson has added some serious experience to his backrow for next season with the acquisition of 14-time capped Australian back-row Jack Dempsey for an undisclosed period of time. The 26-year-old joins the club following seven seasons with Super Rugby side the Waratahs, during which time he scored eight tries in 44 appearances. 

“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,” said Dempsey, who is 6’3”, weighs 17 stone and is comfortable playing across the back-row. 

“Departing NSW was an incredibly tough decision. 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. 

“It’s a club with such a rich and long history and I’m looking forward to joining their campaign and working with Danny Wilson and the team.” 

Wilson believes Dempsey’s history of playing at the highest level can be a major boost to his side. “For a 26-year-old he’s very experienced, having made almost 50 appearances for the Waratahs and earning 14 caps for his country,” he said. 

“Jack 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.” 

Dempsey made his Australia debut against Italy in Brisbane during the summer of 2017 and was on the winning side in each of his first six games for his country, including the team's 23-18 victory over New Zealand in October 2017. His last cap was against Georgia during the pool stage of the 2019 World Cup in Japan. 

Meanwhile, Edinburgh have extended 20-year-old winger Jack Blain’s contract, also for an undisclosed period of time. “He’s a local boy from the city and has improved a great deal since making the step up from the academy to senior professional level, making his breakthrough this season,” said the capital outfit’s head coach Richard Cockerill. 

“Hopefully, with the right application and commitment, he’ll continue to grow into being a prominent part of Edinburgh’s back-three in the years to come.”