Richie Gray will join Toyota Verblitz when he leaves Glasgow Warriors at the end of November, the Japanese club has confirmed. 

The Scotland international will join a star-studded squad that features former All Blacks scrum-half Arron Smith, Springboks double World Cup winner Pieter Steph du Toit. 

He will be coached by former All Blacks duo Steve Hansen and Ian Foster at Totoya, who finished seventh in the 12-team Top League last year. 

In a statement released by the Japanese side, Gray said: "I'm really looking forward to seeing you all and trying my best and working hard to be part of a successful environment and successful Verblitz team. Hope to see you soon."


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Gray, whose final matches for Glasgow will come on their two-match tour to South Africa, becomes the second member of the Glasgow Warriors' URC-winning side to agree to a move to Japan. 

Hooker George Turner signed for Kobe Steelers this summer. 

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said at the time it would be difficult for Turner to continue his international career while playing in Japan, and given Gray is 35, this move may bring to an end an illustrious Test career after the Autumn Nations Series. 

At club level, Glasgow will rely heavily on young duo Alex Samuel and Max Williamson - one of the stand-out performers last season - to replace Gray, but Warriors boss Franco Smith is in the market for a replacement. 

Scarlets lock Alex Craig is believed to be among those under consideration.