Richie Gray set for vital role in the Scottish vanguard against England
Veteran Scot Richie Gray is set to re-establish himself as one of the top locks in the northern hemisphere after being named in Scotland’s Six Nations squad for the first time since 2021.
Gray’s resurgence has not gone unnoticed and he is now one of the first names to be considered ahead of Scotland’s team announcement for the Calcutta Cup.
“I think we’re seeing the best ever of Richie Gray and that’s not an exaggeration,” said Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel.
“In the last two seasons he has been exceptional. He has been a different animal since the tail end of last year.
“For someone that tall to be able to do some of the things he’s doing at the moment, like using his body in a way he’d never really used it before, is exceptional. It’s a credit to him and the work he’s done, and the resilience he’s shown as well,” Dalziel added.
Gray’s return to Six Nations action follows a period over in the continent, testing metal in the battle-hardened land of the Top 14 for Castres Olympique and Toulouse, winning the league with the latter in 2019.
It then took some time for him to return the national team sheets as he adapted to life in the United Rugby Championship.
“As a youngster coming through he had a lot of attributes – his height etc – but I think now, having come back from France and the culture and way of life over there, and the conditioning side of it which is totally different to playing in the URC, it took him a little while,” the forwards coach said.
Gray recalled: “France is a pretty brutal league; the seasons are long and it’s really physical. Back at Glasgow I’ve been able to have a good run, staying fit, staying on the pitch.
The current Warrior has flourished under new head coach Franco Smith, returning to the form that saw him earn a British and Irish Lions jersey in 2013.
“Franco came in and from early on he was all about his forwards playing rugby, instead of just being a line-out forward,” said Richie who has won 69 caps for Scotland.
“He wants all his guys, front five especially, to be able to carry ball as well.
“You’re seeing that across the board at Glasgow with tightheads having the ball in their hands too. We work hard on it and that comes out in games,” Gray added.
Gray brings additional firepower to an already world class second row, but he wasn’t always sure if or when he would return to the international spotlight.
“For two years, maybe more than that, I wasn’t really getting in. With the strength and depth across the second row, it’s an area we’re really strong at, So there were a few moments when you go, “I might struggle to get back in here,” said Gray.
As well as nearly seven feet of Scottish charisma, Gray brings vital experience of a historic victory over England in 2021.
“It was a huge achievement, even if the crowd weren’t there. I remember the first five minutes sitting at the side and seeing the physicality we brought as a Scotland team,” Gray remembered with a smile.
“Guys really biting down on the gumshield and running as hard as they can. The hits were incredible. Those first five minutes really struck me. It was absolutely brilliant back in the changing room after the game and then we had a good flight up the road,” he added.
With Scotland obtaining the Calcutta Cup on four of the last five occasions, the 33 year-old knows this weekend’s opening encounter in the Six Nations is one that will always be remembered. Not least with it being Steve Borthwick’s first game in charge of England.
Gray said: “It’s the Calcutta Cup, it’s an old rivalry and pretty hostile. Certainly the games at Murrayfield have been pretty memorable. I always remember Ryan Wilson and Owen Farrell walking down the tunnel to get things kicked off.
“There’s always a little bit extra in the fixture. It’s a great challenge. But how good is it to go out there in front of 80,000 fans.”
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