Glasgow sign Hurricanes flanker Gibbins

Glasgow have announced that Hurricanes flanker Callum Gibbins has signed for the club while Italian flanker Simone Favaro and Canada prop Djustice Sears-Duru will leave at the end of the season.
Gibbins has signed a three-year contract keeping him at Scotstoun until at least May 2020 subject to a medical and a visa.
The 28-year-old was a Super Rugby winner with the Hurricanes last year and will join up with his new teammates in Glasgow following his commitments in New Zealand rugby.
The open-side has played 26 Super Rugby games and was the captain of Manawatu Turbos, where he played under incoming Warriors head coach Dave Rennie.
Gibbins said: “I’m excited about the opportunity to start a new journey with Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.
“I feel privileged to be in a situation where I can make a decision like this and I’m looking forward to the new experiences that lie ahead.
“Each of the teams I’ve represented, and all the fans who have supported those teams, hold a special place in my heart, and there is no doubt I’ll miss the people I’ve been involved in during my rugby career to date.”
Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Callum is a hard-working player with real leadership attributes and he’s another exciting addition to the squad for next season.
“He is part of a winning environment right now at the Hurricanes and is a player Dave (Rennie) and Jason (O’Halloran) know well from their time coaching him at Manawatu.”
The club also confirmed the departure of Italian flanker Favaro and Canadian international prop Sears-Duru.
Favaro joined the Warriors from Treviso in 2015 and has made 29 appearances for Glasgow. The 28-year-old was voted the club’s 2015/16 Player of the Season.
Sears-Duru joined the club in March 2016 and the 22-year-old has already represented his national side 24 times but has featured only four times for Glasgow.
Townsend said: “Simone has been a very popular figure at the club over the last couple of years and always puts in total commitment every time he plays.
“He is still a key player for us as we enter a period of important games. I’d like to thank him, as well as Djustice for all their efforts as Warriors.”
The Warriors also announced that props D’arcy Rae and Jamie Bhatti have signed new contracts with the club.
Tighthead Rae has signed a new two-year deal until at least May 2019, while loosehead Bhatti has penned a 12-month contract until May 2018.