Richie Gray faces ANOTHER spell on sidelines after 'relapse' - reports

Richie Gray horror run of injuries is showing no signs of letting up.

The Scotland and Toulouse second row had back surgery last year which ruled him out of the first half of the 2017/18 season.

Gray missed Scotland’s tour to Singapore, Australia and Fiji in June due to the problem too. In August Toulouse confirmed that Gray required surgery again.

But the 29-year-old managed to return to action in Toulouse’s 10-0 Top 14 win against Agen on October 6th. The 123kg second row then missed Toulouse’s 22-20 Heineken Champions Cup win over Bath at the Rec.

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The Scotsman report that Gray has now had a relapse. He will have an operation and be out of action for three to four months, which means he’ll miss Scotland’s November internationals and he’ll be in a race to be fit in time for the start of the Six Nations.

Gray only managed one sub appearance in last season’s competition, against Italy.

Scotland face Wales in Cardiff, before three home Tests this November, starting with Samoa before hosting powerhouses New Zealand and Australia.

It’s the latest blow for Gregor Townsend’s side, with scrum half Greig Laidlaw also revealing today that he won’t be fully available for Scotland.

Read next: Scoland suffer Laidlaw blow for Autumn internationals

Gray is into his third year at Toulouse, he played just nine times in the Top 14 last season, with one European appearance against the Cardiff Blues. In his first season after joining from Castres he played 15 domestic matches with four in Europe.

His absence will be a blow for Ugo Mola’s side who host Champions Cup holders Leinster at Stade Ernest Wallon on Sunday.

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