GRAY IS NON-COMMITTAL ON SCOTLAND RECALL FOR SIX NATIONS

RICHIE GRAY’S Scotland career is hanging in the balance after the veteran lock admitted he’s still uncertain if he will return for the Six Nations. The former Toulouse forward last featured for his country against Wales at BT Murrayfield in February before a head knock kept him out of the subsequent games with Ireland, Italy and France.

Gray, 32, chose not to make himself available to Gregor Townsend for the recent Autumn Nations Series, believing he needed a rest after summer ankle surgery and then a run of seven games in a row with Glasgow Warriors. With Gray, his brother Jonny and Ben Toolis all absent, Townsend gave starts in the second row to Jamie Hodgson, Rob Harley, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist and Scott Cummings against Tonga, Australia, South Africa and Japan. Jonny Gray is expected to return shortly from shoulder surgery, creating the possibility of the brothers being reunited in the boiler room for Scotland’s opening Six Nations game against England on February 5. Richie admits that is an appealing thought but refused to commit himself to a return at this point, saying only there were ‘conversations to be had’ on whether he might yet add to his 67 caps. ‘We’ll see what happens’ he said. ‘I had surgery in the summer, didn’t take a huge amount of time off and worked pretty hard to get back fit. ‘Then I went seven on the bounce with Glasgow. I just felt I was in a place where I needed a bit of a break before going again, but there are still conversations to be had. ‘I had some good conversations with the management and they respected my decision.

‘It would be great to play with Jonny again. Obviously a bit of time has passed since we last played together. ‘But the focus is just to continue playing well for Glasgow and take it from there. I know everybody says that but I think it’s certainly relevant.’