The two Scottish clubs enter the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship season facing very different expectations, but both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh have made significant moves this offseason as they prepare for another campaign that could end with a place in the URC playoffs.
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Glasgow will once again be among the championship favorites after finishing atop the regular-season standings last season. Franco Smith's side, however, will look noticeably different after losing several established veterans, including Scotland internationals Huw Jones, Adam Hastings and Jack Dempsey. Edinburgh, meanwhile, has focused on adding young talent with international experience as Sean Everitt continues building a squad capable of returning to the Race to the Eight.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup now less than a year away, both clubs also will play an important role in Scotland's preparations for Australia. Several key internationals changed clubs this summer, but none is more intriguing than Jamie Ritchie's move across the Scottish divide.
Jamie Ritchie Headlines Glasgow Warriors' Summer Additions
Few transfers will attract more attention in Scotland than Jamie Ritchie's arrival at Scotstoun.
The 29-year-old back-rower joins Glasgow after spending last season with USA Perpignan in France's Top 14. Before his move abroad, Ritchie had become synonymous with Edinburgh Rugby, making 133 appearances over 11 seasons while earning a reputation as one of Scotland's hardest-working forwards. He also won 63 Scotland caps, captained his country during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and established himself as one of the nation's premier breakdown specialists.
Now, he joins one of Edinburgh's biggest rivals.
Ritchie said Glasgow's culture and Franco Smith's style of rugby helped convince him to make the move, while Smith praised the veteran's versatility and international experience as valuable additions to a squad looking to contend for another URC title.
Glasgow also strengthened its back row by signing Ruwald van der Merwe from the Pumas and added promising Australian center Duncan Munn.
Glasgow Must Replace Major Departures
While Ritchie is an important addition, Glasgow also lost several pillars of its success.
The departure of Huw Jones to Toulon removes one of the URC's most dangerous attacking centers. Jack Dempsey's move to Brave Lupus strips the Warriors of an experienced ball carrier and physical presence in the back row, while Adam Hastings departs for Montpellier after years of directing the attack from fly-half.
Veteran hooker Johnny Matthews, Sione Vailanu and center-forward depth also move on, meaning Glasgow will rely on both returning stars and new arrivals as it looks to defend its place among the league's elite.
Edinburgh Adds Super Rugby Experience
Edinburgh's headline signing comes at scrum-half with Louie Chapman arriving from the Crusaders organization.
The 25-year-old qualifies for Scotland through his Elgin-born grandmother and arrives after developing in one of rugby's most successful professional environments. Chapman represented New Zealand Schools before progressing through the Crusaders pathway, making his Super Rugby debut in 2023 while also starring for Canterbury and Tasman in New Zealand's provincial competitions.
Edinburgh believes Chapman brings maturity beyond his years, with head coach Sean Everitt highlighting his game management and decision-making as traits developed inside the Crusaders system. Chapman joins fellow newcomers Riley Higgins, James Grayson, Geordie Gwynn and Alec Hepburn as Edinburgh continues adding youth and competition throughout its squad.
Scotland's Clubs Face High Expectations
The offseason has left both Scottish clubs with intriguing storylines entering the new campaign.
Glasgow remains one of the favorites to challenge Leinster for the URC title, but replacing proven performers such as Jones, Dempsey and Hastings will be one of the biggest challenges facing Franco Smith's squad.
Edinburgh, meanwhile, has invested in younger talent with international upside, hoping additions such as Chapman can help push the club back into playoff contention while strengthening Scotland's player pool ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
With the Scottish Shield returning during the festive period and both clubs again expected to feature prominently in the URC race, Scotland's representatives appear set for another fascinating season.
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