Rising starGray thanks Cambus

Scotland international rugby player Jonny Gray has praised his youth coaches in Cambuslang for getting him to the top of his game.

As a youngster at Cambuslang Rugby Club, Gray never felt he had a hope of playing rugby for the national side.

But, as he grew older, that prospect seemed to get closer, especially when his brother Richie established himself in the team.

Jonny, 23, grew up in King’s Park and never stops counting his blessings – hence his admiration for the Scotland Under-20s’ success at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Georgia last week, where their 29-25 win over Wales earned them a spot in the play-off for fifth place, guaranteeing their best finish.

Gray, who was part of the U-20s side that finished 10th in 2013, said: “It all comes down to the grassroots. If it wasn’t for Cambuslang and the coaches there I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“Throughout Scottish rugby there is a real community feeling.

“It’s a lot of credit to the grassroots and the academies.”