Richie is inspired by sibling

RICHIE Gray does not need sibling rivalry to fire him up for Scotland duty, but finds “inspiration” in having younger brother Jonny alongside him.

The towering second-row pair have become a mainstay of Vern Cotter’s line-up since Jonny made the step up to international duty threeand-a-half years ago.

While Richie, at the age of 27 and 6ft. 9in., has five years and a handful of centimetres on Jonny, not to mention an extra 33 caps, it is Jonny who has won the plaudits so far during this year’s RBS 6 Nations.

With an astonishing tally of 52 tackles from 54 attempts, he is the championship’s most efficient destroyer.

In attack, he has also contributed 35 carries from his three appearances so f a r, underlining not only his growing importance to the Dark Blues but also the credentials which should see him j o i n Wa r r e n Gatland’s British and Irish Lions touring party when they depar t for New Zealand this summer.

It would be easy in these circumstances for Richie to be irked by his sibling — but he insists neither jealousy nor competitiveness i s the motivating factor driving him on.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s clash with England at Twickenham, he explained:“Jonny has gone from strength to strength. What I said a couple of years ago was about the need to do it consistently but he’s been able to do it week in week out and that’s the most impressive thing.

“I’ve seen him come on as a leader. He’s grown and matured and makes me very proud.”

Jonny Gray