Jonny Gray, the seasoned second-row player, has been included in Scotland’s 37-man squad for the 2025 Six Nations Tournament preparations, marking his return nearly two years after his 77th and most recent cap.
The 30-year-old last represented the Chardon XV in March 2023 during a home game against Italy in the Tournament. A knee injury sidelined him for the 2023 World Cup, and he opted out of the november test matches to focus on his recovery and integration with his new club, Bordeaux-Bègles, currently leading the Top 14 league in France.
“Jonny took a break in November, played a handful of matches, and then sustained an ankle injury, which means he has some preparation ahead before the Tournament opener against italy,” explained head coach Gregor Townsend during a press briefing.
“However, his performance up until November was outstanding. Bordeaux’s decision to rest him was justified,given his heavy workload with the club,which is currently dominating French rugby,” Townsend added,highlighting Gray’s “experience” and “leadership qualities” as invaluable assets to the team.
Scotland’s Tournament journey kicks off on February 1 with a clash against Italy, followed by a home game against reigning champions Ireland at Murrayfield the following week.
Sione Tuipulotu Retains Captaincy Role
the Glasgow Warriors center, Sione Tuipulotu, will lead the team and oversee the integration of two new additions: 25-year-old Glasgow warriors center Jack Mann and Saracens’ New Zealand fly-half Fergus Burke, whose grandfather hails from Glasgow.
“We’ve been aware of Fergus’s Scottish roots for a couple of years. He was on our radar in November,but his form at the time didn’t quite meet our standards,” Townsend revealed.
“His recent performances have been impressive, and with Adam Hastings sidelined due to injury, we believe this is the perfect prospect for him to step in,” the coach continued. The No.10 jersey is typically reserved for Finn Russell in the national squad.
Scotland’s Squad for the 2025 Six Nations:
Backs (15): Fergus burke, Matt Currie, Jamie Dobie, Darcy Graham, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Blair Kinghorn, Stafford McDowall, Finn Russell, Kyle Rowe, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.
Forwards (22): Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Brown, Dave cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Patrick Harrison, Will Hurd, Jack Mann, D’Arcy Rae, Dylan Richardson, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, Marshall Sykes.
Jonny gray Returns to Scotland Squad for 2025 Six Nations Preparations
In a important progress for Scottish rugby, Jonny Gray, the experienced second-row forward, has been named in Scotland’s 37-man squad for the 2025 Six Nations Tournament preparations. This marks Gray’s return to the national team setup nearly two years after earning his 77th and most recent cap.
Gray, now 30, last donned the Chardon XV jersey in March 2023 during a home game against Italy in the Six Nations. Though, a knee injury ruled him out of the 2023 Rugby world Cup, and he subsequently opted to skip the November Test matches to prioritize his recovery and settle into his new club, Bordeaux-Bègles.The French Top 14 side, currently leading the league, has been gray’s home since his move, where he has been working diligently to regain full fitness and form.
Despite his return to the pitch, Gray’s journey back to international rugby has not been without challenges. After taking a break in November, he played a handful of matches for bordeaux-Bègles before sustaining an ankle injury. This setback has required careful management, but Gray’s inclusion in the Scotland squad signals both his resilience and the coaching staff’s confidence in his ability to contribute to the team’s Six Nations campaign.
gray’s return is a welcome boost for Scotland, as his experience, leadership, and physicality in the second row have been instrumental in the team’s performances in recent years. His presence will undoubtedly strengthen Scotland’s pack as they aim to build on their recent successes and compete for the Six Nations title in 2025.
As preparations for the tournament ramp up, all eyes will be on Gray to see how he reintegrates into the national setup and whether he can recapture the form that has made him one of Scotland’s most reliable performers. With the Six Nations just around the corner, Gray’s comeback adds an intriguing subplot to what promises to be an exciting tournament for Scottish rugby fans.
Stay tuned for more updates as Scotland gears up for the 2025 Six Nations, with Jonny Gray poised to play a pivotal role in their quest for glory.
