RUGBY. Leaving Toulouse 2 years ago, this player is reborn in his first club
Do you remember to Richie Gray ? This tall blond (without black shoes, according to the latest news) completely dominated the Stade Toulousain touch when he arrived in Haute-Garonne. Arrived from Castres in 2016, he was THE big pick of the red and black On paper. Indeed, the second line was not an ingrate. With 2.08 meters in height for a little more than 120 kilos, he flew in the alignment like a sparrow and tackled in the buffet like a bull. It must be said that in the family, this style of play suits them well. For a long time (and even today), his brother Johnny Gray could be considered the best tackler in the world. In the fight, Richie Gray assures. In the game, he knew how to be restless. At the very point where his qualities were offered to him a place among the Lions British and Irish in 2013. The class, right?
Arrived from Castres Olympique in 2016, his Toulouse adventure had started very well. In order to imagine a duo 100% old Tarn alongside Joe Tekori in the cage. However, a few months after his arrival, the galleys began for the Scottish international. In effect, the giant suffered from a recurring back injury. A sentence that made him regularly settle in the Hauts-Garonnais infirmary. Despite everything, the player will end up champion of France in 2019 with Ugo Mola’s team during a record season. Thereafter, the player will struggle to find the rhythm. His first season will offer him nearly 20 matches in all competitions in the red and black jersey. A completely honorable account for an international. The following seasons it revolves aroundan average of 10 games per season TCC. A number that turns out to be much less glorious, especially for a former Leo.
[TRANSFERT] Top 14 – Richie Gray will leave Stade Toulousain for Glasgow
The rebirth in the country
To forget the bad memories, Richie Gray returned to Scotland. More specifically, he returned to Glasgow Warriors during the summer marked by the Covid pandemic in 2020. There, it was suggested that he would find his brother there. The latter had moreover often been announced to Toulouse. Rumors even saying that he had happened to visit the facilities. In the end, it was nothing. The two brothers have only passed each other, one joining the industrial city in the north of Great Britain.Brittany, the other heading south towards Exeter. Returning to Glasgow, Richie Gray is already 31 years old and has a busy career. With a track record that seems to be more behind him than ahead, he arrives unpretentious. However, expectations are high for the Warriors. The (excellent) memories left by the colossus in the Scottish selection are still fresh. The performances of his brother, they help to maintain this flame.
From an arrival through the back door, Richie Gray quickly dresses a lot of attention. And as they say when the stress rises: the second line prefers to drink the pressure rather than undergo it. In two years, the player will metamorphose. A transformation that is taking place to such an extent that almost 3 years after leaving him, he will return to the XV du Chardon in 2021. Indeed, his performances in Glasgow are more and more successful and his age seems to reflect his experience much better. than any fatigue.
“Richie Gray’s Indian Summer Continues Into Winter”
During the spring of 2022, his club also announced that he would stay one more year under the colors of the club. In an official statement, he said:I am delighted to have been able to sign again. This club means a lot to me. This is where I started my career as a professional rugby player. The work environment makes it a real pleasure to come and train every day.“At mid-season, he posted excellent club statistics with a success at tackles exceeding 90%. In this exercise, he often seems quite alone, however. The Glasgow Warriors have the worst defense in the United Rugby Championship from a statistical point of view.
RUGBY. Passed by Toulouse, this big name in world rugby soon back in the Top 14?At 33, there may still be one last adventure left for Richie Gray. Recently, the Midi Olympique had indicated it on the side of Brive. If a return to the Top 14 could therefore be made, Glasgow nevertheless seems to have become reciprocally attached to the player. Recently he was appointed Scottish Derby man of the match from URC this Friday, December 23. After the meeting, the newspaper The Scottish translated a laudatory column for him. The latter describes the form of the former Toulouse player as follows:
Richie Gray’s Indian summer continues into the middle of winter. Glasgow’s second line proved to be outstanding once again in the win over Edinburgh.[…] Francois Smith describes him as “a warrior through and through”. There is no doubt that the Glasgow manager is making the most of the player who is a colossal asset in the line-up and a constant threat in the game. At 33, Gray shows no signs of slowing down. He has become an influential role model within the club since his return.