The 25-year-old is recovering from a knee injury and hopes the trip to New Zealand will help him recapture his enthusiasm for the game.

Kerr - who has three caps - is taking a year out from the professional game and intends to travel, work on a farm and play club rugby on New Zealand's South Island.

He struggled to force his way back into the Glasgow line-up as a result of the injury and believes the break will allow him to return to professional rugby in better shape physically and emotionally.

He said: I really hope I can regain enjoyment from the game because thats a big thing for me.

I wish to thank all the Glasgow supporters for the backing theyve given me and the team over the last five years and I hope the team produces more in the way of young, Scottish-bred players, to go from strength to strength.

Glasgow head coach Hugh Campbell added: Rory has been a tremendous servant for Glasgow for the past five years.

We wish him all the best and hope he has a speedy recovery from the knee injury that restricted his appearances last season.

Scottish Rugby Union interim director of rugby Richie Dixon hopes the Scottish game has not seen the last of Kerr.

He said: Rory has been unable to challenge for a place in the Glasgow line-up due to injury for much of last season and we would hope that by taking a time-out in a new environment that it might rekindle his form and enthusiasm.

It would certainly be our intention to track his progress in New Zealand as we believe Rory still has much to offer Scottish Rugby.