Richie Gray to team up with host of World Cup winners in Japan move

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.

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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.

Fixture

Japan Rugby League One

Kubota Spears

00:30

22 Dec 24

Toyota Verblitz

All Stats and Data

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.”