Rugby news: Pro deal for Glasgow debutant, Six Nations blow, Fiji coach exit, Scottish award nominee

Pro deal for debutant

Glasgow Warriors’ promising winger Fergus Watson has signed his first professional contract with the club, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal.

Watson, 20, a product of his local club, Biggar RFC, made his competitive Warriors debut in last Friday’s match against Benetton and scored a try in the 31-10 win at Scotstoun.

A former Scotland Under-20 international, he is the fifth player to graduate from the club’s academy ahead of the 2026-27 season, after Macenzzie Duncan, Jack Oliver, Johnny Ventisei and Matthew Urwin.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and to sign a pro deal at such a special club is a really cool feeling,” said Watson.

Franco Smith, the Glasgow head coach, said: “Fergus has worked hard at his own personal and physical development, and those efforts were in full evidence on Friday night.

“He is a player that we believe has all the attributes necessary to be a real asset to his squad, with his pace and ball-carrying evident throughout training and in his performance last weekend.”

Watson, who can also play full-back, is the grandson of Bill Watson, the former Scotland flanker who was capped 10 times in the 1970s and went on to become chief executive of the SRU.

Injury blow for Young ahead of Six Nations

Scotland prop Anne Young has had to drop out of the Scotland squad ahead of the Women’s Six Nations due to injury.

The loosehead was hurt playing for Loughborough Lightning in their 39-26 defeat by Trailfinders Women on Sunday. She has been replaced in the national squad by Exeter Chiefs’ uncapped Demi Swann who was born in Ontario and qualifies for both Canada and Scotland.

The Scots, who open their Six Nations campaign against Wales in Cardiff a week on Saturday, have already lost Evie Gallagher, Sarah Bonar and Lisa Thomson to injury.

It is Scotland’s first campaign under new head coach Sione Fukofuka who was appointed following the departure of Bryan Easson after last year’s Rugby World Cup.

Fiji and Byrne part company

Fiji have parted company with head coach Mick Byrne after what is understood to have been a disagreement over a “new direction” for the team.

Byrne has been in charge since 2024 having previously coached the Fijian Drua Super Rugby side. His sudden departure means Fiji are now looking for a new coach to lead them into next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. Senirusi Seruvakula has been placed in interim charge.

“Fiji Rugby Union and Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately,” said a statement from the Fijian Rugby Union.

“We thank Mick for his dedication, passion, and contribution to Fijian rugby over the past five years — his impact on the Flying Fijians and Drua has helped lay a strong foundation for the future.”

Byrne, 67, is a vastly experienced coach who had a spell working with Scotland between 2002 and 2005. A former Australian rules footballer, he moved into rugby coaching in the late 1990s.

Scotland are due to play Fiji at Murrayfield on July 18 in the inaugural Nations Championship, a new tournament to be played in the summer and autumn Test windows. Fiji beat Scotland 29-14 in Suva when the sides last met in July.

Scot nominated for U20 award

Jake Dalziel, the youngest member of the Scotland squad, has been nominated alongside three others for the 2026 U20 Six Nations Player of the Championship

The 17-year-old started all five matches at stand-off and finished in a tie for the second-most try assists of the tournament with four.

Dalziel has been shortlisted alongside Joachim Senga Kouo of France, England’s Lucas Friday and Riccardo Casarin of Italy. The winner will be determined using a combination of expert panellists and a public fan vote.