Glasgow's Jonny Gray on what convinced him to agree terms with Exeter
Jonny Gray says he is excited at the challenge that lies ahead after he sealed a move to Gallagher Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs on Friday.
The 25-year-old will head to Sandy Park at the start of next season on a two-year deal, bringing to a close a hugely successful spell with Glasgow Warriors.
The Scotland lock is Rob Baxter’s first confirmed new arrival ahead of the 2020/21 season – and comes just twelve months after international team-mate Stuart Hogg agreed a similar switch from Scotstoun.
Like Hogg before him, Gray says the opportunity to test himself in a new environment was a telling factor in his decision to make the move south to the current Premiership leaders.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Gray, who has been with the Warriors since 2012. “I see the move not only as a chance to experience something new, but at the same time it’s a chance for me to develop myself, not only as a player, but as a person.
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“Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know just how tough a side they are and what the set-up is like down in Exeter. You can see how well they have done in recent years and at this stage in my career, I just feel it’s a great opportunity for me. I know I still have a lot to learn as a player, so hopefully the change of club will allow me to add new things to my game.”
With 55 Test caps to his name, Gray arrives in England with a proven pedigree at the highest level. However, he admits the decision to leave Glasgow was not an easy one and that he will forever be grateful to the club for all they have given him over the years.
“Leaving Glasgow will be tough,” he added. “I love Glasgow and I’m so grateful to the club and so many people associated with the club for all they did during my time there. Without doubt, this was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make – and I will be giving everything between now and the end of the season to ensure my time there finishes on a high.”
‘Scotland have got to win some away games in the Six Nations… psychologically, we have got to be more resilient when things don’t go well’
– Ex-assistant Matt Taylor on what next for Scotland ahead of his departure for the Wallabies. @JLyall93 reports ?https://t.co/9vmtXfUliI— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 3, 2020
The challenge, though, of testing himself in English rugby’s top-flight is one that genuinely excites the imposing forward, who admits he has sought the view of Hogg and fellow Chief, Sam Skinner, to find out more about the inner workings of the Devon club.
“I’ve spoke to both Stuart and Sam and they have both said what a great club it is,” said Gray, who is the younger brother of Scotland and British Lions forward, Richie Gray. “Stuart says he is loving life down there and he’s enjoying the challenge of being at a different club. Talking to both of them, as well as Rob, I just felt it’s the right move for me at this time in my career.
“You can see the Chiefs have a great environment and a great culture and that’s very much what Glasgow is based around. The togetherness they have as a squad is clear to see, on and off the field, so it will be good to be a part of that moving forward.”
Having spoken in detail with Baxter about his move, Gray admits he likes what the Chiefs’ director of rugby outlined. “Sitting down with Rob, I like what he had to say, not just about the club, but how they wanted to play, and how they saw things moving forward,” added Gray, who helped the Warriors lift the PRO12 title in 2015 with victory over Munster.
“You can see the club are ambitious and want to win things and I’m very much the same. First things first, I want to make sure I finish strongly with Glasgow between now and the end of the season.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments