Richie Gray to leave Glasgow Warriors for 'overseas opportunity'

Gray, who made his Glasgow debut in 2009 and spent two seaons with the club in his first spell before moving to first Sale Sharks then to Castres and Toulouse, where he won the Top 14 title in 2019 before returning to Scotstoun the following year. 

The 35-year-old has 79 caps for Scotland and was a British and Irish Lions tourist in 2013. 

Scotland Rugby News understands Gray's offer is from a Japanese club, with the timing of his departure suggesting the Scotland international could be heading to the Top League, which begins in December. 

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Glasgow Warriors, from the supporters to the backroom team to the players I’ve shared a dressing room with over the years,” Gray said. 

“The support I’ve had throughout my time here – from the first time I stepped onto the pitch to when I came back from France and the last few years since then – has been incredible, and to win the URC together last season was a phenomenal achievement. It’s a great group here and it meant a lot to lift that trophy together."

Gray praised the growth of the club from his early days playing at Firhill. 

The lock added: “When I first came through, we were still playing out at Firhill in front of a couple of thousand people, so it’s such a proud feeling to see where this club is now.

"To see how everyone has pulled together in the last few years and really grown the club to where we are today shows that we’re in a great place."

While his departure will come as a blow to the Warriors, Gray also praised the strength in depth of the Warriors' locks. 

He said: “I’m really excited to see how the young guys in the second row develop. Scott [Cummings]’s development in recent years – both on the field and around the club – has been outstanding, and young Max [Williamson] and Alex [Samuel] are such an exciting duo for both Glasgow and Scotland.

“The two of them were just starting out in the academy when I first came back, and now you look at them and know they’ll be the future of the second row.

"They’ve taken everything in their stride, from calling lineouts to leading meetings and everything around the club that supporters might not necessarily see.

"Even guys like Jare [Oguntibeju], who’s had a few opportunities in the pre-season, show that the future is definitely bright in the second-row, and I’m excited to watch how they kick on.

“This move is a fantastic opportunity for me, and a really exciting move for my family. I’m really looking forward to the challenge that awaits me.

“I’ll definitely be back here with the family at some point, though. Glasgow is my home, and I’ve got no doubt I’ll be here in the stands with the Warrior Nation one day.”

Head coach Franco Smith wished Gray well for the move, adding: "Richie has been a fantastic servant to this club, both on and off the field.

“It will be sad to lose him, but this is a massive opportunity for him at this stage of his career.

"I know from experience what an opportunity like this means as you’re coming to the end of your career, and I’m very proud of the way he has gone about his business.

“His influence will stand us in good stead even once he has moved on, and we wish him all the best.”