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Chris Gray (rugby union)

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For other people named Chris Gray, see Chris Gray (disambiguation).

Chris Gray
Birth nameChristopher Antony Gray
Date of birth (1960-07-11) 11 July 1960 (age 64)
Place of birthHaddington, East Lothian, Scotland
Occupation(s)Dentist
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1976–1978 Edinburgh Academical ()
1983–1997 Nottingham RFC 243 (60)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Anglo-Scots ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1989–1991 Scotland 22 (12)

Christopher Antony Gray (born 11 July 1960 in Haddington, East Lothian) is a former Scottish international rugby player who played most of his club rugby in England. He gained 22 caps for Scotland national rugby union team including five appearances at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He is qualified as a dentist and helps coach at the school Trent College in Long Eaton.

Club career

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Between 1978 and 1983, Gray turned out for Edinburgh Academical.[1] In 1983 he joined Nottingham R.F.C., and played 243 matches for the Green and Whites (scoring 60 points) until retiring in 1997.[2] He succeeded England and British Lions hooker Brian Moore as club captain in 1989.[3]

He held the record of 27 appearances for the Scottish Exiles provincial side, until it was equalled by Richard Cramb in 1992.[4]

International career

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Gray made his Scotland debut in the 23-7 Five Nations win against Wales at Murrayfield on 21 January 1989 and was part of the Scotland team that claimed a grand slam in the 1990 Five Nations Championship. He played his last international in the 13-6 World Cup Third-place play-off defeat against New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park on 30 October 1991.

Dental career

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Gray qualified from the Edinburgh Dental School in 1983 and moved to Nottingham to take up employment as a dentist.[5] He worked as a dentist throughout his playing career. He is currently the owner of Wollaton Dental Care in Nottingham.[6][7]

Personal life

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Gray married Nottingham RFC physiotherapist Judith Bunten in 1991.[8] They have two sons: James Christopher Gray (b. 1991), who was invited to play for the Scottish Exiles under-19s side in the spring of 2010,[9] and Nicholas Andrew Gray (b. 1995). Jamie's birth occurred towards the end of Scotland's 1991 World Cup campaign.[10]

He stands at 6"5'. He continues to help coach the school Trent College, where both his sons went.[11]

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References

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  1. ^ [1] Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine Accie.org: In the News
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Nottingham RFC Player Records
  3. ^ "SCOTTISH international lock Chris Gray is to take over as captain of Nottingham next season". The Herald. 28 April 1989. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Robertson absent as Glasgow face Exiles". The Herald. 2 December 1992. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  5. ^ "My Life in rugby: Chris Gray – former Edinburgh Academicals, Nottingham and Scotland lock". www.therugbypaper.co.uk. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Changing Old Habits". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2010. Changing old habits, The Dentist, April 2008
  7. ^ [2] Wollaton Dental Practice - the team
  8. ^ Rugby intended - Herald Scotland | Sport | SPL | Aberdeen
  9. ^ [3] The Herald Interview: charged with disrupting England’s lineout, Chris Gray recalls his role in Scottish rugby’s greatest day
  10. ^ "Jimmy Sirrel's agonising choice after wife's death". Nottingham Post. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2016.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ [4] The Herald - The Men Who Carry Scotland's Championship Hopes (dated 3/10/1991)
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