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Nervous Scot braced for Test run
Gray: Reaching new heights
Richie Gray is pinching himself at the prospect of making his Scotland debut less than nine months after bursting onto the scene at Glasgow.
Gray had not even played for his club until May last year but the 6ft 10in lock already finds himself on the bench for his country's Six Nations opener against France on Sunday.
The 20-year-old's rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric - something he freely acknowledges.
"It's always been a dream and ambition to get in the Scotland team but I didn't believe it would come this soon," he said.
"I'm really looking to it.
"It'll be a huge moment for myself if I get on the pitch.
"I'll be very proud and, certainly, quite emotional.
"But I'll need to put that to the back of my head and put in a really solid performance."
Gray, who can be instantly identified by his shaggy blond hair, is the only uncapped player in coach Andy Robinson's 22 and he did everything you would expect upon hearing of his selection.
"After the team was announced, I was texting friends and family, just letting them know," he said.
"My parents are very proud of me.
"It's been a really good week and certainly the nerves are starting to build just now."
Any nerves will be settled by having nine of his Glasgow team-mates in the starting XV.
"It'll make me more comfortable going into that situation knowing those guys are around me," said Gray, who is particularly close to fellow Warriors lock and club captain Alastair Kellock.
"He's helped me a lot over the last two years," said Gray, who credits his team-mate for how quickly he himself has progressed.
"Certainly, last year, when I was on the fringes, he took me to one side and helped me.
"His attitude is spot on, he's a really good trainer and he gives me advice during training sessions."
Gray arrives on the Test scene untainted by Scotland's past failures.
Indeed, with Glasgow topping the Magners League going into the Six Nations, the young second row has known little other than success during his short professional career.
"I'd say everyone is the squad has that winning mentality," he said.
