SIMON Berghan will move from Edinburgh to Glasgow in the summer, becoming part of an increasingly formidable-looking Warriors front-row contingent.

With Jamie Bhatti also on his way back to Scotstoun in the close season, head coach Danny Wilson has a wealth of international talent to select from up front. Bhatti is likely to compete with Aki Seiuli as back-up to Oli Kebble at loosehead; George Turner will wrestle with Fraser Brown for the starting berth at hooker, with Grant Stewart also aiming to force his way into contention; and Berghan is set to be ahead of D’Arcy Rae and Enrique Pieretto in the tighthead pecking order, behind first-choice No 3 Zander Fagerson.

“Adding a player of Simon's calibre to our pack is a massive boost for us going into the 2021/22 season," Wilson said. "He's a proven performer at both club and international level, and his work ethic will make him a valuable addition to our front row."

Born in New Zealand, Berghan joined Edinburgh from Canterbury in 2014. He qualifies for Scotland thanks to having a grandfather from Stirling, won his first cap in 2017 under Vern Cotter, and has so far played in 28 Tests. He was named in Gregor Townsend’s squad for this year’s Six Nations Championship but did not take part in Saturday’s win over England, in which Fagerson started and Edinburgh’s WP Nel came off the bench.

Berghan has enjoyed spells in recent seasons in which he was preferred to Nel by Richard Cockerill, but at other times the Edinburgh coach has appeared dissatisfied by his contribution. Whatever the reason for his departure from the capital team, however, Berghan is confident that his choice of new destination will work out well.

“Danny gave me a call and outlined what he’s looking to build at Scotstoun over the next few years, and it sounds like a really exciting time to get involved with the club," he said. “Everyone talks about the culture of the club, and for my partner and I it seemed like a really sensible and exciting move.

“The quality of the front-row players at Glasgow is unreal. With Jamie coming back to Scotland next season too, you can make two, nearly three, front rows full of international players. 

“There’s going to be a lot of competition for places and a challenge I’m looking forward to. It’s an exciting prospect, and I want to put my best foot forward and show what I’m all about.

“I’ve got to admit, the Scotstoun crowd is always incredible. Every time I’ve come through as an Edinburgh player the noise has been unbelievable. Players, coaches, even friends and family all talk about how incredible the atmosphere is for a Glasgow home game and I can’t wait to be a part of that in the near future.”

With Berghan on the way out, Edinburgh now look all the likelier to carry on with the 34-year-old Nel as their first-choice tighthead next season. They have Fijian international Lee-Roy Atalifo as back-up, and also have one of the most promising props in the country in 19-year-old Dan Gamble.