Scotland under 20s lock Jonny Gray 'honoured' to be handed Glasgow Warriors chance

Apr 4 2012

GLASGOW WARRIORS have taken another step into the future by securing lock Jonny Gray on a two-year Elite Development deal.

The 18-year-old will be part of a system from which the likes of Stuart Hogg and Finlay Gillies have progressed to earn full professional contracts this season.

Gray has impressed in the club game with Hamilton and with Scotland under-20s – and was last night named as one of the recipients of this year’s prestigious John Macphail Scholarship.

He said: “It’s a massive honour to be offered these two development opportunities. I’m grateful for the chance to take my rugby forward.”

Warriors Elite Development coach Iain Monaghan said: “Jonny has shown he can become a pro so we are looking to support and challenge him to fulfil his potential.”

As part of Gray’s Scholarship, he will jet off to New Zealand this week with Edinburgh stand-off Gregor Hunter for 18 weeks in Christchurch, playing for local clubs and savouring the high-end facilities and coaching offered by the Canterbury RFU International High Performance Unit.

Gray and Hunter will be joined for five weeks by Scottish Rugby’s regional academy coach and Scotland Under-16 assistant coach Ben Fisher.

They’ll receive specialist support from members of the coaching staff at the Crusaders – the most successful side in Super 15 history.