Glasgow Warriors will still push to compete for trophies on two fronts next season despite a summer of notable departures, assistant coach Scott Forrest said Tuesday.
Club resolves to maintain standards amid roster turnover
The blunt reality — several experienced, high-profile players have left the club since the end of last season — has not changed the Warriors’ stated objectives. Among those to depart are centre Huw Jones, back-rower Jack Dempsey and fly-half Adam Hastings, names that have been central to Glasgow’s recent campaigns.
Forrest, who remains part of the coaching structure tasked with replacing production and leadership lost to those exits, made it clear the club expects to remain in contention. That ambition will be tested across two competitions in the coming campaign, even as the squad undergoes a period of transition.
What the departures mean
Losing established internationals and experienced pros invariably forces clubs into a recalibration of plans. The Warriors now face three immediate tasks:
- Identify and recruit players who can fill the on-field roles vacated by Jones, Dempsey and Hastings;
- Integrate replacements and younger squad members quickly to maintain performance levels;
- Preserve the team culture and tactical continuity while adapting to personnel change.
Those priorities are familiar to any professional rugby club undergoing turnover, and Glasgow’s public message is one of steady intent rather than panic.
Depth, recruitment and the schedule
Forrest’s comments underline a broader truth in the modern game: silverware is often won by squads that can withstand the attrition of a long season. The dual-front challenge referenced by the coaching staff places a premium on recruitment and on the speed with which new or promoted players can be brought up to competitive standard.
Management will be judged on how efficiently they fill the immediate gaps and how they shore up depth across the matchday 23. With multiple departures of note, selection headaches — and opportunities — will follow from training to competitive fixtures.
| Departures | Position |
|---|---|
| Huw Jones | Centre |
| Jack Dempsey | Back-row |
| Adam Hastings | Fly-half |
How Glasgow handles those shifts will shape its campaign. Coaches must balance short-term results with longer-term squad building — a delicate operation when fans and stakeholders expect contention rather than a rebuild.
Wider implications for the club
Player turnover at clubs like Glasgow has ripple effects: tactical adjustments, leadership reshuffles and alterations to the style of play can follow. For supporters, the immediate concern is whether new arrivals or promoted academy players can quickly replace the production of established internationals. For the coaching staff, the task is about minimising disruption and ensuring the team’s identity remains intact.
Forrest’s message — that ambitions are unchanged — is a vote of confidence in the club’s ability to manage that transition. But intentions will be tested on the scoreboard, and early-season form will shape perceptions of how successfully Glasgow has answered the departures.
At a time when player movement is commonplace across professional rugby, the Warriors’ approach will be watched closely by rivals and supporters alike. The coming months will make clear whether the club’s recruitment and development plans can sustain a genuine push for trophies on both fronts.
