Ryan Wilson and Fraser Brown will lead Glasgow Warriors into the new season for the second campaign in succession, following confirmation that the pair will continue as the club’s co-captains for 2021/22.
The captaincy duo was initially formed by Head Coach Danny Wilson and his coaching team in the summer of 2020, with the pair debuting as co-captains in last August’s clash with Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield.
It will be a fifth consecutive season leading the club for Wilson, having originally led the team on a solo basis in 2017/18 before sharing captaincy duties with Callum Gibbins and Brown.
The back-rower played in all bar one of Glasgow’s matches in the 2020/21 campaign, missing the trip to face the Dragons at the Principality Stadium in order to win his 50th cap for Scotland in March’s famous victory in Paris.
Wilson’s tally of 192 appearances for the club can only be bettered by Rob Harley, the pair having made their debut together against Leinster back in September 2010.
The 32-year-old has represented his country at both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, and remains the only captain to have led Scotland ‘A’ to victory over England on English soil.
Brown continues as co-captain after his first season in the role, having been an invaluable member of the club’s leadership group over recent years.
The hooker made his 100th appearance for the Warriors in memorable fashion, scoring a try and being named as Player of the Match in a 15-3 win over Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield in August 2020.
Another man to have represented Scotland at the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, his breakdown prowess and physicality have seen him pack down in the back-row on occasion for both club and country, in addition to his exploits at hooker.
He made eight appearances in all competitions last year, crossing the whitewash in the 29-19 victory over Edinburgh in the 2021 Guinness Rainbow Cup.
Speaking to glasgowwarriors.org, Head Coach Danny Wilson praised the leadership qualities of both men, saying: “Ryan and Fraser did a really good job leading the team in what was a challenging season last year because of COVID-19.
“They worked well complimenting each other’s style of leadership and we’re looking forward to seeing them lead the squad again this season.
“Both Ryan and Fraser are very passionate about Glasgow Warriors and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with them.”
Brown expressed his delight at continuing in the role, saying: “I’m honoured to be named captain for a second season alongside Ryan. Glasgow is a club I love and I’m excited for what lies ahead.
“There was a lot of excitement last year ahead of the new season and with everything that happened a unique set of problems for Ryan and me to work through were created.
“I thought Ryan and I dovetailed well together – we both have our own areas that we specialise in but we work well together as co-captains.
“We’re looking forward to going into a season where we will be able to return to some normality, to be able to gel tighter together as a squad and to get back playing in front of fans.
“It’s a hugely exciting year for the squad – I think we’ve got a strong team and a really good coaching and management set up and we’re all looking forward to getting back out on the pitch.”
Ryan Wilson added: “I’m very proud and privileged to be named co-captain again – it’s something that I never take for granted. With such a good group of players it’s always an honour to get the chance to lead them out alongside Fraser for another season.
“Fraser and I work really well together. We both have different leadership styles, but when it comes down to playing on the field we both have the same sort of mindset, which I think is important when sharing the captaincy.
“In the season ahead my role stays the same – making sure I’m close with the boys and creating a tight knit group, as well as leading by example on the pitch.
“We’ve got a new group this season with a lot of exciting players coming in and once again young guys will get the chance to step up and impress. We’re all very excited for the season ahead.”
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