Poles are hoping their careers can soar with Hawks

Gary Heatly reports in the Herald

A Polish international duo will be looking to make their mark in the RBS Premiership in the coming months after they joined top flight new boys Glasgow Hawks.

Twenty-one-year-old prop Craig Bachurzewski, who was brought up in Cumnock, and 23-year-old back-row Mateusz Bartoszek have both arrived at Old Anniesland for the 2013-14 campaign, and with a number of international caps behind them, will add something to the Hawks' pack.

Having been brought up in Cumnock and learnt his rugby at the local club as a youngster, Bachurzewski was always aware of his Polish roots.

When he was injured playing for Dumfries around four years ago he became aware that clubs in Poland were keen to link up with players who were eligible to play for the national team and a few weeks later, having recently turned 18, he was joining a professional outfit in the Eastern European country, Arka Gdynia.

He said: "It was a great experience for me. I turned up as an 18-year-old who didn't speak the language and just got stuck in, but everyone helped me settle in.

"Family who I had never met before travelled from other parts of Poland to see me play, while the difference in the rugby over there is definitely the physicality, so I had to learn quickly."

After turning out for the Poland Under-20s during a successful couple of years and impressing for his club in the Rugby Ekstraliga, including a title win in 2011, Bachurzewski's first full international cap came last April in Chisinau against Moldova.

Poland lost the Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifier 24-20, but he said: "It was a really proud moment for me and my family while I was up against some top-quality front-row opponents and it was a great learning curve.

"Since then I have also played against Sweden and am keen to get more caps."

Bachurzewski got to know Mateusz while the latter joined Arka Gdynia at the end of last term and also when they were on international duty together.

When the back-rower mentioned he was keen to play abroad again after a number of years in the pro ranks in France including at Albi, Bachurzewski told him to come to Scotland, and both are itching for the season to start on August 24.

Mateusz said: "I really liked playing in France and now I am looking forward to playing in Scotland and helping Glasgow Hawks do well in the top division. I am excited to be here."

Hawks hope the arrival of the duo may be the start of long-term links with the city's Polish population. Co-coach Jamie Dempsey said: "It is great to see the way Craig's career has progressed since he went to Poland, while Mateusz is an aggressive back-row. I look forward to having them available this season."

This article was originally posted on 14-Aug-2013, 05:56 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 14-Aug-2013, 07:19.