Gray day as Richie ends stellar Glasgow stint in Stellenbosch
Veteran Scotland lock Richie Gray will play his final match for Glasgow in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship showdown with Stormers in South Africa.
The 35-year-old second-rower is leaving his hometown club next month to join Japanese side Toyota Verblitz and has been selected in the number five jersey for his farewell appearance.
The match in the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch will be Gray’s 119th for Glasgow across his two spells.
The addition of the lock, who was omitted from the Scotland squad for the autumn internationals, marks one of seven changes to the side that started last weekend’s 28-24 defeat away to the Sharks.
Sione Tuipulotu, who was appointed Scotland captain this week, once again leads Warriors in the absence of injured skipper Kyle Steyn as they bid to subdue a Stormers side buoyed by a 34-19 home win over Munster last weekend.
“The Stormers will provide another stern test for us,” head coach Franco Smith told the Glasgow website. “They look to be hitting top form as they showed in their convincing win over Munster.
“They will also be able to call upon a wealth of international experience and quality, with Springboks and World Cup winners throughout their squad.
“It promises to be another electric atmosphere in front of a passionate crowd. We look forward to the challenge.”
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (CAPT), Kyle Rowe, Adam Hastings, George Horne, Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Sam Talakai, Gregor Brown, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Max Williamson, Henco Venter, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan
DHL Stormers: Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis (CAPT), Damian Willemse, Leolin Zas, Manie Libbok, Paul de Wet, Brok Harris, Andre-Hugo Venter, Frans Malherbe, JD Schickerling, Ruben van Heerden, Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Keke Morabe
Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Leon Lyons, Neethling Fouche, Adre Smith, Willie Engelbrecht, Louw Nel, Herschel Jantjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg
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There no doubt miserable grinches in NZ who feel that way but you don’t see them outside of the internet. Christ that’s a sad way to feel about a sport.
In actual real life Ireland are very highly regarded in NZ, and it isn’t just because of their results it’s the brand of rugby they play, it’s great to watch.
It’s also natural to be competitive with an ethos of stomping the guts out of your opponents ie Conan The Barbarian’s ‘what is best in life?’ speech.
It’s all lots of fun.
Go to commentsI was horrified when I first saw. But someone pointed out they’ve actually lost their top 4-5 hookers, and club replacements that deep in the talent pool haven’t played any footy for months now.
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