Is Richie Gray lining up a Gloucester get-out clause?
SALE lock Richie Gray wants to use Gloucester as a relegation safety net.
The imposing 23-year-old second row would be keen on a Kingsholm move should the Sharks fail to save themselves from the drop to the Championship.
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Richie Gray
The Citizen understands Gloucester would relish the chance to bring the 6ft 10in Scotland giant (pictured right) to the Cherry and Whites – but are not about to gamble on his availability at the end of the season.
Gray joined Sale from Glasgow in the summer, on a three-year contract.
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Gloucester would be unlikely to buy out the two remaining years of that deal – but would not need to should Sale go down.
Already it seems he and his advisors are making relegation contingency plans – but there could be more likelihood of Gray's team-mate Kearnan Myall ending up at Gloucester next term.
Gloucester could yet chase two more lock additions, over and above the 18-month deal handed to Tongan powerhouse Lua Lokotui, with Alex Brown forced into retirement and Jim Hamilton bound for Montpellier.
Rugby director Nigel Davies is still chasing Toulon's former London Irish lock Nick Kennedy, after failing to prise Geoff Parling away from Leicester Tigers.
Lineout boss Kennedy has struggled to adjust to life in France, and should he decide to return to England, then Gloucester is his likely destination.
No one in England is able to match his current salary, but that would not be Kennedy's chief concern if he does move.
Gloucester have also been tracking Sale's athletic former Leeds lock Myall.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is another who can run the lineout, in the Alex Brown mould.
Comments
by Karbonn
Saturday, January 19 2013, 9:06AM
“Nigel Davies certainly knew what he was doing when he made Rupert Harden his top rated tight-head. Rupert is quite simple outstanding and without doubt Gloucester's best tight-head.”
by s_sorca
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:57AM
“Rupert Harden is Gloucester Rugby's top tight head. He is ND's go to man for the key games.”
by richardpenton
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:46AM
“It's over to Woody and Dawidiuk to save our scrum and hold the front row together against Mont de Marsan. It won't be easy without our first choice and most talented tight head - Rupert Harden - but I am sure they will give it their best.”
by werew
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:41AM
“I'm looking forward to Rupert's recovery and his return to bolster the front row. I guess in the meantime we will just have to struggle on with a weakened scrum.”
by jasonbennett3
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:37AM
“I am really looking forward to when our top rated tight head prop - Rupert Harden - returns from injury to bring the scrum back up to strength.”
by fuddlebagley
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:35AM
“Rupert may be out injured but he will be back and Nigel Davies, who happens to know about these things, will return Rupert to the starting line up where he belongs because he is Gloucester's best front row player.”
by chuycastillos
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:33AM
“It is a real shame that our best and top rated tight head, Rupert Harden, is unavailable for today's game against Mont De Marsan because of injury. Nick Wood and Darren Dawidiuk (and their replacements) will now really have to step up to save our front row from being demolished.”
by LarryOfLevens
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:31AM
“If we are really fortunate, Rupert Harden will be back for the Premiership games before too much more damage is done. You can't leave out your best tight head and one of Gloucester's key players when he is fit.”
by Nick_Iewis
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:27AM
“Harden has been having a storming season. It is no wonder he has been selected to start the most games of all the front row forwards. And not just any old games. It has been the key games where you need your best players.”
by CrazyLegs
Saturday, January 19 2013, 8:21AM
“I wonder if the sad old man and multi-troll akadau will be at the game today? Of course he won't; he's a Gloucester Rugby hating irrelevant old man.”