Why Richie Gray has already played his final game at Scotstoun

It was revealed last week the 35-year-old will be leaving Glasgow at the end of November to pursue a fascinating opportunity abroad.

Gray has a 15-year association with the Warriors over two stints, and he became a centurion last May before producing an outstanding performance as Glasgow won the URC title against the Bulls in Pretoria. 

The second row has also amassed 79 Scotland caps, won the Top14 and represented the British and Irish Lions across a glittering career but he has already bid farewell to Scotstoun. 

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Franco Smith has rested Gray, who has also amassed 79 Scotland caps, won the Top14 and represented the British and Irish Lions across a glittering career,  for the visit of Zebre. 

Richie Gray with his family after the win over Benetton (Image: SNS) With Glasgow jetting off for South Africa next week before the Autumn Nations Series,  the Warriors legend will have departed before Scarlets visit on November 29, meaning Gray has already bid played his final match at Scotstoun. 

“Richie is still going to go to South Africa with us, so he is not out of the picture yet," Smith said.

"We don't want to do the farewells too early. He actually knew the last game we played here against Benetton that it was likely to be his last game. His whole family was there and they had one last walk around the pitch afterwards.

“Richie is a level-headed guy. He will know it would have been an opportunity to play one more time here, but we have planned from the start to prepare him best to be eligible still for Scotland in the Autumn Tests.

"He doesn't play this week so we can get him ready for South Africa and hopefully he can roll out two good performances for us down there.”

Richie Gray will travel with Glasgow to South Africa (Image: SNS Group) Asked whether Gray would feature for Scotland in the upcoming Scotland internationals, Smith continued: “That is more for him but as far as I understand, he is a Scotland international and his contract abroad only starts on December 1, so I am sure he is part of the plans - or can still be part of the plans - but that is up to Gregor if he is going to involve him.”

With the international break on the horizon, Smith has made seven changes for the visit of Zebre with Stafford McDowall captaining Glasgow on his return with Sione Tuipulotu, Josh McKay and Gray amongst those rested. 

“It’s about continuing with the progress of the team and to make sure that everyone is ready - not just for our trip to South Africa but for the Scotland internationals that are coming up,” Smith added.

“We need to give people enough [game] time but also to freshen up the squad and allow people to get some work done at the back end of the week. 

“Because of the Friday games, we train less and after our short pre-season that could have a negative influence.  It works out nicely and I think we’ve now used 34 players out of the 43.

"With four or five out injured it means we are close to giving everyone a run, if you include the warm-up games. The squad is in a good place from a training and playing perspective. It’s also about freshening up the team and continuing to progress.”

Gregor Townsend will announce his Scotland squad in the next fortnight and Smith already essentially knows which of his Glasgow stars will feature - but he’s keeping his cards close to his chest.

Gregor Townsend will name his Scotland squad for the Autumn Nations Series later this month (Image: SNS)

“Yes, we had the chat but it’s not my place to talk about that,” Smith smiled.

“We spoke about it about six weeks ago, just before the season started. We have a good idea what his train of thought is. It was my mission to change it with the way the guys play, so let’s see what comes about.”

Kyle Rowe should  a place in Townsend’s squad with his versatility a major asset and he could start for Scotland at fullback against Fiji with Blair Kinghorn unavailable as the match falls outside the World Rugby international window. 

On moving Rowe to fullback against Zebre, Smith explained: “I am all about versatility. I want the backs to play more than one role, that is why Jamie Dobie is out on the wing this week as well.

"The big thing with Kyle is, yes we want to give him an opportunity there. It is not like he asked, but it was my plan to involve him there.

Josh McKay has been given the weekend off (Image: SNS) “Josh McKay has played a lot of minutes in the last six or seven months since Ollie Smith got injured. Ollie is now slowly getting back and recovering hopefully in time to be back with us around 1st December.

“At the same time it's just to give us another alternative to back up Josh, who has taken up most of the minutes, to make sure somebody else has played there.

"Kyle is definitely on Scotland's radar in that position so he's the right person, but also an important person for us, to be filling that role. There are numerous reasons why we have decided to pick him there.”