Glasgow Warriors recruit new lock Rob Verbakel

Lineen welcomes more competition for places in the Glasgow second row

Glasgow Warriors have announced the signing of lock Rob Verbakel from New Zealand side Otago.

The 24-year-old Dutch passport holder will arrive in Scotland next week, having helped the Dunedin-based outfit to five wins in the ITM Cup.

"I know I'll be arriving with the season already underway," he said.

"But I feel like I'll be showing up battle-hardened after my involvement with Otago and my aim will be to hit the ground running with the Warriors."

Verbakel will help plug the sizeable gap in Glasgow's second row left by the World Cup involvement of Richie Gray and Al Kellock.

"The talk back home is all about the Rugby World Cup and it's obvious from the number of guys Glasgow have involved that I'm coming to a quality outfit," added the Nelson-born player on the Warriors' website.

"It will be great to learn from these players and hopefully bring the benefit of my own experiences as well."

Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen already has Tom Ryder, Rob Harley, James Eddie and Nick Campbell as second row options but is pleased to see competition increased.

"We're delighted to have given so many players to the Scotland squad, but it's also good to have a bit more depth in our squad," said Lineen.

"Rob is a powerful kind of lock whose basics in the set-piece are very strong and who likes to carry the ball.

"I'm very confident he will be an asset to the group in what is a vital stage of our season."