FADE TO GRAY
Injury-hit Scot will miss out on Tests
ANOTHER Scotland squad announcement, another Richie Gray injury. Whenever international fixtures come up these days, it seems like the big second row is posted missing.
When Gregor Townsend names his Scotland squad for the autumn Tests tomorrow, he will face the disappointment of ruling out the 29-year-old Toulouse star again.
Gray is facing up to four months on the sidelines with a hip problem. A time frame that would see him miss not only next month’s games with Fiji, South Africa and Argentina but the Six Nations as well.
The 6ft 10in star’s prolonged absence from the international scene, especially with the World Cup less than a year away, is becoming a worrying trend.
In 2018, he has played just one game out of a possible eight for Scotland and that was a brief appearance off the bench against Italy in the Six Nations.
The previous year it was four out of 11 potential call-ups for his country. It is to be hoped that he makes a full recovery, but questions have to be asked about how long Gray can combine playing in the physically tough French Top 14 with representing his country.
The former Glasgow Warriors and Sale Sharks man has spent five years playing a significant role for, firstly, Castres and now Toulouse.
But whereas SRU rules ensure that players who represent Edinburgh or Glasgow are rested after every five games, there are no such protections in France for foreign players like Gray.
A heavy workload has clearly taken its toll on the powerful lock forward who has struggled with his hips and also with his back over the last two years.
He underwent surgery on his back in August 2017 which forced him to miss last November’s Test matches for Scotland.
Returning to action for Toulouse in late December, he went on to play in nine Top 14 matches. Gray looked in good form and helped his club to the Top 14 play-off semi-final, where they lost to eventual winners Castres.
He also appeared in one Challenge Cup fixture before making his last appearance for Scotland off the bench against Italy in a 29-27 win in Rome in March this year.
A hip injury then ruled him out of Scotland’s summer tour and he went on to miss the opening six weeks of the French league campaign.
Gray came back a fortnight ago against Agen but there is a case to be made for thinking that he may have been rushed back too soon.
With second row Iosefa Tekori injured and his fellow lock Piula Fa’asalele suspended, the club wanted him back in action as soon as possible to bolster their squad.
His absence certainly gives Scotland boss Townsend a second-row headache ahead of next month’s games.
He has three experienced men — Grant Gilchrist, Ben Toolis and Gray’s young brother Jonny — all fit and available.
That leaves a need for one other, with Rob Harley and uncapped Exeter Chiefs lock forward Ollie Atkins in the frame.
Scarlets back-row forward Blade Thomson, who qualifies for Scotland through his grandparents, is set to be called up for the first time.
The New Zealand-born forward signed for the Welsh club from the Hurricanes in New Zealand over the summer.
The 27-year-old, who won four caps for the Maori All Blacks, wants to play for Scotland after failing to break into the full All Blacks side.
Contact has been made with Townsend and he is set to be included in the squad, injury permitting.