When Richie Gray enters the field against the Stormers in Stellenbosch on Saturday, it will likely be his last game for Glasgow Warriors and the end of his legendary Scottish rugby career.
Franco Smith, the forward’s coach, called him “a brilliant servant and a top man,” and the comments will echo in his ears as he departs for Japan.
Gray, 35, was left off of Scotland’s autumn international roster this week, and unless he is called up during the series, this will most likely be his final appearance for the national team. Prior to the start of the new Japanese season, which overlaps with the Six Nations, he will join Toyota Verblitz next month.
With 79 caps for Scotland and one for the British and Irish Lions, he will go as one of the most decorated players in the nation. He played for Sale Sharks, Castres, and Toulouse in between two successful stints with Glasgow; the last won the Top 14. He was instrumental in the United Rugby Championship victory the previous season after returning to Glasgow.
“We think it’s great to send him off on his new journey,” Smith remarked. As I have stated, he is a wonderful man and has been an excellent servant to the club. There is something unique about you if you participate in nearly 80 Test matches for your nation and twice represent the club in more than 50 games.
We decided to let him go so that he and his family could spend a little more time together and perhaps pursue his career beyond what Glasgow might have offered.
“We want to play a special game against a top-tier team to send him off here.” On tour, he has been outstanding. I brought him here on purpose so the lads would benefit from the remainder of his experience.
Smith, meantime, believes Johnny Matthews will overcome his Scotland snub and turn it into inspiration. The hooker was an unexpected exclusion from Gregor Townsend’s autumn roster, which included Sharks’ Dylan Richardson, Edinburgh’s Ewan Ashman and Paddy Harrison, and the hooker.
“He is a talented player, and he is knocking on the door and will continue to do so,” Smith remarked. “I believe he will be very motivated on Saturday because he has handled the disappointment well.”
Instead of the Stormers’ customary venue, Cape Town Stadium, the game is being contested at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. Smith believes it will be an unforgettable event at a smaller arena in a town that is passionate about rugby.
The coach said, “There’s a huge buzz around.” The residents of this small village are huge fans of the game. Rugby was played and developed here by Dr. Danie Craven, the game’s founder in South Africa. There is a statue of him, and the atmosphere in the town is both positive and tense before the game.
Stormers coach John Dobson is also excited, especially because he has been able to start the innovative Springboks three of Warrick Gelant, Damian Willemse, and Manie Libbok together for the first time this season. “Whether you call them game-breakers or playmakers, those three guys are truly unique,” Dobson remarked. “When we attack, two of them are on one side at every breakdown, which will put pressure on any defense.”
The erratic Libbok needs to prove something. In the URC quarterfinals last season, the talented fly-half had a terrible night at Scotstoun, missing all four kicks at goal as his team fell to the Warriors 27–10. Two weeks before South Africa plays Scotland at Murrayfield, the Boks pair will play Glasgow, and Dobson stated that Libbok, not Willemse, will be their kicker on Saturday.
Smith, on the other hand, has expressed his satisfaction in Sione Tuipulotu’s selection to lead Scotland. Smith remarked, “He’s a great man who has a significant impact on the players around him.” “I think the Scotland team and the Scotland supporters will be able to identify with the fact that he plays for the team, regardless of the jersey he wears.”
This weekend, Tuipulotu will also skipper Glasgow in Kyle Steyn’s ongoing absence. Smith anticipates that the winger will return for the 1872 Cup games against Edinburgh after undergoing surgery on his fibula, which will keep him out for six to eight weeks. Glasgow has already sold 12,000 tickets for the opening leg, which will be contested at Hampden Park for the first time on December 22, since tickets went on sale this week.
Saturday at 12.45 UK time, DHL Stormers vs. Glasgow Warriors (URC, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)
DHL Stormers: Paul de Wet, Manie Libbok, Brok Harris, Andre-Hugo Venter, Frans Malherbe, JD Schickerling, Ruben van Heerden, Marcel Theunissen, Ben-Jason Dixon, Keke Morabe, Warrick Gelant, Ruhan Nel, Dan du Plessis (capt), Damian Willemse, and Leolin Zas. Willie Engelbrecht, Louw Nel, Herschel Jantjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Joseph Dweba, Leon Lyons, Neethling Fouche, and Adre Smith were substituted.
Glasgow Warriors: Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Sam Talakai, Gregor Brown, Richie Gray, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey; Josh McKay; Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Kyle Rowe. Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Max Williamson, Henco Venter, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan, and Gregor Hiddleston are the replacements.
