Scotland's Gray to leave Glasgow for 'new opportunity'

Richie Gray's second spell at Glasgow Warriors will end next month

Scotland lock Richie Gray will leave Glasgow Warriors at the end of November after the United Rugby Championship club "agreed to allow the second-rower to pursue a new playing opportunity abroad".

Glasgow say the 35-year-old's move to an as yet unnamed club was "agreed at the benefit of both parties".

The former Sale, Castres and Toulouse forward is in his second spell with Warriors, having returned to Glasgow in 2020 and reached a century of appearances for his hometown club in May last year.

Gray told Glasgow Warriors' website: "This move is a fantastic opportunity for me and a really exciting move for my family. I'm really looking forward to the challenge that awaits me."

He highlighted winning the URC last season as "a phenomenal achievement" but suggested "the future is definitely bright in the second row" at Glasgow, with Scott Cummings, Max Williamson, Alex Samuel and Jare Oguntibeju competing for places.

Gray has amassed 79 Scotland caps and featured once for the British and Irish Lions during their 2013 tour of Australia.

At pro-team level, he also won the French Top 14 final with Toulouse.

Glasgow head coach Franco Smith added: "Richie has been a fantastic servant to this club, both on and off the field.

"When I first came in, he very quickly adapted to the intensity of our training sessions as well as also adapting elements of his game.

"It will be sad to lose him, but this is a massive opportunity for him at this stage of his career. I know from experience what an opportunity like this means as you're coming to the end of your career and I'm very proud of the way he has gone about his business."