Rejuvenated Gray has put tough times behind him

THE epitome of the strong, silent type, it was therefore slightly out of character for Jonny Gray to allow both the moment and the emotion wash over him.

Yet, as he touched down in the historic victory over Australia at Murrayfield last month, and was swamped by his ecstatic team-mates, it was a sign. The Jonny Gray of old was back.

In fairness to the 23-year-old lock, he had not been away for long. But, in a career that has been on an ever-upward trajectory since he burst on to the scene four years ago, the last nine months or so have probably been the toughest he has faced.

It was during the Six Nations that his troubles began. Hailed as serious contender for the Lions tour to New Zealand that would follow in the summer, Gray had started the season in his usual fearsome form.

Having missed just one tackle over the previous two campaigns, he was at the heart of Scotland’s positive start. Victories over Ireland and Wales had sandwiched a defeat to France in Paris and Vern Cotter’s men were travelling to Twickenham with belief for matchday four. The return journey would not be so upbeat.

The 61-21 loss that followed ended the Scots’ championship hopes and, it would transpire, many of their chances of selection by Warren Gatland.

A below-par performance from Gray, who uncharacteristically missed two tackles, was harshly seized upon by many in the rugby fraternity south of the border as reason to dismiss his Lions candidacy.

Yet, he would have an opportunity of redemption shortly afterwards.

Gregor Townsend, in his final season as Glasgow Warriors head coach before replacing Cotter as Scotland boss, had led his side into the knockout stages of the European Champions Cup for the first time.

They were drawn against English giants Saracens, the holders, at the beginning of April. It was the chance for Gray and his team-mates to deliver the perfect riposte to their critics. Alas, it did not go to plan.

Gray lasted less than 15 minutes before departing the action at the Allianz Park with a head knock. Glasgow would go on to lose 38-13 and the result proved the knockout blow for any faint hopes the second row had of being on the plane to New Zealand.

Instead, Gray would have to be content with joining his old club boss Townsend on Scotland’s own tour Down Under. Back in the groove: Gray celebrates a try against Australia

A confidence-boosting 24-19 victory against the Wallabies in the middle of June was perhaps the perfect tonic but, less than two weeks later, it was announced that Gray would be out for between four and six months having undergone surgery on a wrist injury.

His participation in the autumn Test series was in doubt and, to add to his woes, new Warriors boss Dave Rennie stripped him of his captaincy role at the club upon his arrival, handing the responsibility to Ryan Wilson.

Yet, there is a resilience to Gray. He returned to action with his club at the beginning of October and, although a little rusty to begin with, soon proved he was ready to face the triple threat of Samoa, New Zealand and Australia come November.

Now, tonight at Scotstoun, the Jonny Gray of old will once again be required if Rennie’s men are to keep alive their hopes of Champions Cup progression against Cotter’s new club, Montpellier.

Having played his own part in Gray’s progression through the ranks, former Warriors head coach Sean Lineen is confident that he will now be able to put his recent travails behind him.

‘I have been so pleased by his last few games,’ said the former Scotland star.

‘It was like the Jonny of old — with a bit extra added.

‘His footwork was up, his carrying was energetic, he was staying on his feet and was always busy.’

On the disappointment of missing out on the Lions, Lineen believes Gray has the fortitude to cope — and likened him to another second row who graced the famous red jersey.

‘Should Jonny have been on the Lions tour? Maybe, but he’ll definitely be on the next one,’ continued Lineen, who is now the SRU’s head of academies and age-grade rugby.

‘I made Jonny captain of the Scotland Under-20s and he is similar to (former England and Lions skipper) Martin Johnson in that he was not a lecturer, either.

‘Jonny is in the mould of “follow me” on the pitch. He sets the example at training and playing.

‘He went on a Macphail Scholarship to New Zealand when he was a young man and that was important in his development.

‘He always had the ability but being out of Scotland toughened him up at a young age.

‘It also showed him early on there are a lot of good players around and he would have to reach a really high standard to make it. He took all of that on board.

‘Yes, there were some parts of being Under-20 captain he found a little bit uncomfortable but what young lad wouldn’t? He has come a long way since then and is mentally very strong.’

That focus will be required against the Montpellier tonight if the Warriors are to triumph. And Lineen certainly believes it will be a real fight for supremacy at Scotstoun.

‘This is going to be a real physical battle at the set-piece and Jonny can play his part there,’ said the 55-year-old.

‘Gregor set it up for Glasgow when he was in charge with a good style of rugby.

‘Now Dave Rennie has come in and really given them the edge. You can see the way they train, how they work so hard off the ball, their hitting into contact. It’s pretty brutal stuff.’

Should he have been with the Lions? Maybe, but he will be next time