AROUND 150 Glasgow Warriors fans are visiting Paris this weekend - to support their team, of course, when they play Racing 92 in the Champions Cup, but also to thank the people of the French capital for their hospitality two months ago.

Thankfully, no visitors from Scotland were directly caught up in November’s terrorist attacks, in which 130 people were killed. But those who were in Paris that weekend were grateful for the way in which locals helped them, and most will be able to return to see Saturday’s match, which was postponed along with all other sporting fixtures in France that weekend

Robert Stewart, chairman of the XVIth Warrior as the official supporters’ group is known, flew out with his wife Elizabeth on the Saturday, the morning after the attacks. The night before, Robert had started getting phone calls from other fans anxious to track down friends who were already in Paris.

“We were getting contacted constantly, because some people couldn’t get in touch with other people who they knew were in Paris already,” Robert said yesterday.

“We were able to contact one person and find out who else was with them, and so on. It was four or five o’clock in the morning by the time we got to our beds - which was a bit stupid, because we were back up again at six to get the flight out to Paris.

“We were advised not to go, but we wanted to go for the simple reason to support the guys who were there, and to support the Parisians. And when we did get there, the Parisians were absolutely magnificent. I couldn’t believe how nice they were, considering the devastation and carnage that had happened.

“We reckon there was 150 to 200 Warriors supporters there last time. This time I think there will be less. I don’t know of anybody who said they don’t want to go - most people who are not going have work commitments, or it’s because of the cost of the trip. But there are also some people I know who are going this time who didn’t go last time.

“One of our groups are going back to the exact same hotel and the exact same restaurants this time because of what the Parisians did for them at the time - to pay them back. Most folk are going with that in mind. There is a rugby game going on, an important one, but at the same time half of your thoughts are with the Parisians. We’ll give them a good thank you.”

Meanwhile, the Warriors announced yesterday that Fraser Brown and Pat MacArthur have both agreed new two-year deals. The two international hookers, whose previous deals were due to expire this summer, are now under contract until 2018.

“I feel I’ve really developed as a player since joining Glasgow and I’m enjoying my rugby,” said Brown, who moved west from Edinburgh Rugby three years ago and now has 15 caps. “I’ve gone on to represent my country and playing at the Rugby World Cup was a huge honour.”

MacArthur, 28, has six caps. “I’ve really enjoyed my eight years at the club and it was an easy decision to stay at Scotstoun,” he said. “There is a fantastic culture here at the Warriors and everybody wants to work hard to improve themselves and the club.”