Scotland lock Gray leaves Castres for Toulouse in Top14

Scotland’s Rugby World Cup lock Richie Gray has signed a four year deal with Toulouse from Top 14 Rugby rivals Castres.

Gray has been capped 51 times for Scotland and has been with Castres since 2013 after spending a year with Sale Sharks.

Before his stint in the English Premiership with the Sharks he spent four seasons with Glasgow Warriors.

“It’s a big signing which will strengthen our squad next season,” club president Jean-Rene Bouscatel told a press conference in the southwestern French city.

Bouscatel was speaking during a press conference following Toulouse’s return to their Stadium following a two-and-a-half year multi-million-euro renovation programme.

Toulouse will host Top 14 rivals Toulon on December 27 in their stadium, English club Saracens in the European Cup late January and Stade Francais in March.

“It’s a huge relief and great joy to return to the Stadium,” said Bouscatel, as Toulouse sit second in the Top 14 two points behind Clermont.

The Stade Municipal de Toulouse, which also hosts the city’s football team, has boosted its seating capacity to 30,000 places as it will host games during the 2016 European football championship.