Scotland lock Richie Gray mentioned on Saturday he developed a “huge amount” throughout his seven years within the Top 14 earlier than going through France within the Six Nations this weekend.
Gray, 33, spent three years at Castres earlier than becoming a member of rivals Toulouse for 4 seasons the place he received the century-old Bouclier de Brennus in 2019.
Scotland are unbeaten on this yr’s championship after a win over Wales and beating England on the opening weekend, his first Six Nations begin since 2017.
“I learned a lot. I learned quickly in France. The biggest change for me was up front,” Gray informed reporters.
“In the Top 14 you get examined up entrance. In the scrum, mauls and line-outs.
“I had a huge amount of development in that area and that was because of my time playing here,” he added.
At Toulouse, now file 21-time French champions, Gray featured alongside France half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack.
“They were fantastic then, really good rugby players,” Gray mentioned.
“Now we’ve seen them develop of their talents and develop into leaders as nicely.
“What they are doing is fantastic,” he added.
Gray’s Test team-mate Finn Russell is having fun with a spell in France of his personal and can depart Racing 92 in June after 5 seasons in Paris’ rich western suburbs.
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Russell, 30, has made three attempt assists to this point this championship in two spectacular performances.
“He’s been great. He is a really relaxed character, but what I’ve noticed is how hard he is driving the attack play and his attention to detail,” Gray mentioned.
“The things he is able to pick up on, how he can expose defences, I think he has really grown there and taken on a role as leader,” he added.
Unsung hero
Alongside Gray at lock on the Stade de France might be Edinburgh’s Grant Gilchrist, who will make his 62nd worldwide look.
“He’s a massive unsung hero. You can talk about his leadership skills – he’s the vice-captain and he’s been talking all week in training,” 2.05 metre Gray mentioned.
“He’s an excellent line-out caller, The truth our line-out is functioning is right down to him.
“Around the park he’s been superb. His basics, the nuts and bolts of the game, are as good as anyone,” he added.
Scotland recorded wins of their opening two video games of the match for the primary time within the Six Nations, discovering a consistency which has been missing in recent times.
The Scots have received the Grand Slam simply thrice of their historical past, all of them within the Five Nations and most just lately in 1990.
But going into the third spherical of video games, they and world primary facet Ireland have been the one groups that have been nonetheless in competition to do it this yr.
“I think we’ve learnt lessons from the past,” Gray mentioned.
“You get that up and down – win one week and a bit flat the following week and also you don’t get the consequence.
“I do know we are saying it yearly, however we do have a really proficient group of gamers and we’re simply trying to realise our potential.
“The biggest frustration tomorrow would be not playing to our potential,” he added.
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