Chris Cusiter signs Glasgow Warriors extension
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
British & Irish Lion and Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter has signed a three-year contract extension with Glasgow Warriors.
And, in agreeing to his deal until May 2015, the 29-year-old becomes the seventh Warrior to commit himself to the club in the past seven weeks.
"I'm genuinely excited about what we're in a position to realise here during that period of time," said Cusiter.
"I'm ambitious, I feel that Glasgow are ambitious - I feel it's a good match."
Aberdeen-born Cusiter began his professional career with Border Reivers and returned to Scotland to join Glasgow in 2009 having had a two-year spell in France, where he helped Perpignan win the Top 14 title.
But he believes that, by staying with Glasgow, he can achieve success in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup - and "establish myself as the first choice scrum-half for Scotland".
"I felt that staying at Glasgow was the best place to state my case and hopefully get an extended run for Scotland in the next few years."
"I was frustrated with the World Cup, having come back from injury and I didn't play very much, I'm desperate to be involved and I'm desperate to play scrum-half in the Six Nations."
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson recently promised that money earmarked for keeping Richie Gray at Warriors will be reinvested in the club after the forward decided to join Sale next summer.
"The vision is for the Warriors to become a regularly winning team in both the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup and to become a real focal point for rugby in Glasgow and the west of Scotland," said Cusiter.
"First and foremost I believe in what the SRU are trying to do at Glasgow Warriors. I believe in the investment they say they're going to put in to grow the game in Glasgow."
"I think everything's been really positive - young players being signed up early and securing them on long-term deals, the support that comes from Murrayfield in terms of coaching has been fantastic, the coaches here are working really hard.
"We have a good team here and I believe in their plans for the future.
"All of that, and the fact I really enjoy Glasgow as a city, combined to help make up my mind that this is where I want to be for the foreseeable future."
Coach Sean Lineen was delighted to retain a player he calls "a real world class performer".
"It's a fantastic statement for Glasgow Warriors, it's a real signal of intent for the Warriors and for Scottish rugby.
"It does give everyone at the club a real buzz.
"Chris is an absolute joy to work with," he said. "He's a fantastic talent who knows the value of continuous hard work and he's a positive and influential figure in our dressing-room.
"Since he's come back from the World Cup he's been outstanding, both on and off the field.
"Keeping Chris here says to the world at large that we're serious about taking Glasgow Warriors forward."
