Scottish Rugby
Masoe opts against Warriors switch
ESPNscrum Staff
January 18, 2012
Castres No.8 Chris Masoe dives over to score, Castres v Toulouse, Top 14, Stade Mediterranee, Beziers, France, August 21, 2010
Chris Masoe will stay in France rather than journeying to Glasgow © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Sean Lineen | Chris Masoe
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Glasgow Warriors have taken the unusual move of confirming that Chris Masoe will not sign for the side and has instead opted to stay in France.

The 32-year-old visited Glasgow to view their Scotstoun training facilities but has since opted to stay in France though it remains unclear whether that will be with his current side Castres. And the Warriors have issued a statement claiming that although they were interested in bringing the former All Blacks back-row to Scotland, Masoe has opted to continue his rugby career elsewhere.

"Although I'm not going to be joining the Warriors on this occasion, I'd like to make a point of putting on record how impressed I've been with the club and Scottish Rugby throughout this whole process," Masoe said. "My partner Gemma and I paid a visit to Glasgow and Scotstoun Stadium a few weeks ago, and we were both blown away by the warmth of the welcome we received from everyone at the club and the people we met around the city.

"The Warriors couldn't have done more to make us feel wanted, and as a result this was an extremely tough decision. The club are heading in the right direction and I wish them all the best for the future."

Warriors head coach Sean Lineen said: "While we're obviously disappointed that Chris has decided to stay in France, the efforts we made to bring him here underline our ambition to keep improving the squad.

"We're very happy with the signings and re-signings that we've made of late, and we'll continue to seek to add to them over the coming months."

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