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Richie Gray to team up with host of World Cup winners in Japan move
By Josh Raisey
Scotland lock Richie Gray has signed for Japan Rugby League One's Toyota Verblitz ahead of the new season, as reported by RugbyPass.
Glasgow Warriors announced at the beginning of October that the 35-year-old would bring his second stint at Scotstoun to a close at the end of November, though his new destination had not been announced at the time.
The well-travelled Scotland international will now add another country and league to his collection, with the new season in Japan set to begin in December. The British and Irish Lion will team up with World Cup winners Pieter-Steph du Toit and Aaron Smith in Japan, while working under World Cup-winning director of rugby Steve Hansen.
Glasgow face a mini-tour of South Africa over the next two rounds of the United Rugby Championship, against the Sharks and the Stormers, which will be the 79-cap international's final outings for the club before the league takes a break during November.
Gray was omitted from the Warriors' recent 33-3 home win over Zebre, which deprived him of a Scotstoun swansong.
Verblitz get their JRLO division one campaign underway against Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay on December 22.
"It's a pleasure to be here," Gray said in a Verblitz statement after signing. "I'm really looking forward to seeing you all and trying my best and working hard to be part of a successful environment and successful Verblitz team. Hope to see you soon."
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Latest Comments
Yep NZ national u85 team is touring there atm I think (or just has).
Go to commentsWhat are they gonna do with the 500k and what does that achieve? They could dump the whole side and pick amateurs and save 10million, but what is that going to achieve?
The problem it feels like to me is I didn't hear what Gatland is going to do in order to win the 6N next year. How is he helping the problem. It just sounds like they're expecting miracles and for Gatland to turn around the national teams results, but what good is that when you're not fixing any of the problems and you'll just be back where you were when Gatland and the old players leave?
I think you are totally wrong in your stance. Wales abosolutely need to spend that 500k by investing in their future, it just doesn't sound like theyre giving Gatland any more resources to do it with. They're not using that 500k very well.
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