Glasgow sign experienced Irish fly-half Ian Keatley

Experienced Ireland international Ian Keatley has joined Glasgow Warriors until the end of the 2020-21 season.

The 33-year-old strengthens Danny Wilson’s fly-half options ahead of the conclusion of the Guinness PRO14 campaign, as well as the inaugural Rainbow Cup scheduled to start in April.

Keatley said: “It’s a strange time to be joining the team with everything that’s going on with Covid, however, I’m really happy to be joining a club and a city with a proud rugby history.

“I’m looking forward to being able to start on a fresh slate with Glasgow and I’m excited to begin working with Danny and his coaching team.

“This club is a top quality outfit and I’m relishing the chance to be able to play alongside some of its top quality talent.”

Head coach Wilson said: “Ian Keatley has been a fantastic player over the years for Munster, Connacht and more recently at Benetton.

“Ian’s experience will be great from a performance point of view. He will also be invaluable to the development of our young players, including the likes of Ross Thompson, and also enable us to look at Pete [Horne] in his natural position of inside centre.”

Keatley made his Ireland debut in May 2009, scoring 10 points in a victory over Canada.

He becomes the first Irish international to represent Glasgow since James Downey, the centre having pulled on a Warriors shirt on seven occasions in the 2014-15 campaign.

Wilson continued: “It’s apparent and appropriate to suggest that we need to add an experienced fly-half to our situation that we are currently in.

“In our last recruitment cycle, pre the season starting, we wanted to bring in both a 15 and a 10, however, we didn’t (get) the opportunity to do that due to Covid.

“Pete Horne has done a great job for us at fly-half this season, however, 12 is his favoured position and with his recent concussion problems, and Adam Hastings’ shoulder, we needed to bring in some experience at fly-half for the last six months of the season.

“We now have that opportunity and we are chuffed to be able to bring in someone of Ian’s quality, experience and knowledge into the squad.”