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Jonny Gray feared Scotland career was over as he discusses 'emotional' return in Six Nations

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dailyrecord.co.uk

Jonny Gray revealed there were times he feared his Scotland career was over before he banished almost two years in the Test wilderness with an “emotional” return in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations victory over Italy.The 30-year-old lock won his 78th cap at the weekend in what was his first national team appearance since the home game against the same opposition in March 2023.In between those two Murrayfield outings against the Azzurri, the East Kilbride star's career was derailed by a 16-month lay-off with a serious knee injury sustained while playing for previous club Exeter in their Champions Cup semi-final away to La Rochelle in April 2023.At a low ebb as he was forced to sit out the 2023 World Cup in France and last year’s Six Nations, the former Calderglen High School pupil – who eventually returned to action after landing a move to Bordeaux Begles last summer – worried his days as a Test player were behind him.“Yeah, I did, if I’m being honest,” said Gray, occasionally pausing to keep his emotions in check. “There was a lot of doubt.

I’m just thankful for how blessed I am to get out and play at Murrayfield again.“It’s been a while, it’s been a tricky almost two years now.

I’ve definitely learned a lot and questioned a lot of things. You have to think about some things and how you get there and stuff, but I’m just so thankful for the people who stuck by me.“I’m thankful for the journey I’m on, and to be back at Murrayfield, it was just emotion… It’s always emotional when you play here, but to have that chance again was huge for me.“I was a bit of a mess on the bus on the way in, if I’m being honest.

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