SCOTLAND lock Richie Gray will link up with World Cup winners Pieter-Steph du Toit and Aaron Smith when his move to Japanese side Toyota Verblitz is confirmed this week.
The Glasgow second row, 35, announced recently he would leave Warriors at the end of November to take up “a fantastic opportunity” and “really exciting move for my family”.
The 6ft 10in forward will become Toyota’s third foreign international, filling a spot vacated by New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett who is returning to Super Rugby with the Blues.
Director of rugby Steve Hansen has recruited Japan No.10 Rikiya Matsuda to replace Barrett, freeing up space to sign Gray, who has 79 Scotland caps and one for the Lions.
Japan will be the latest destination for the intrepid Gray, who played for Sale and two French clubs in Castres and Toulouse before returning to Glasgow – where he started his career – in 2020, helping them to the URC title last season.
Before he heads to the Far East, Gray will travel to South Africa this week for two final URC games against Sharks and Stormers before the autumn Tests next month.
He could yet enjoy an international swansong with Scotland should Gregor Townsend want to use his experience against Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia. Gray has been a frontline pick over the past two years before a bicep injury in the opening game of this year’s Six
Nations against Wales ruled him out of the rest of the championship.
“We have planned from the start to prepare him best to be eligible still for Scotland in the autumn Tests,” said Glasgow head coach Franco Smith. “As far as I understand, his contract abroad only starts on December 1 so I am sure he is part of Scotland’s plans – or can still be part of the plans. But that is up to Gregor.”
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