Gray staying grounded ahead of Glasgow Warriors' playoff push

As well as making his Scotland debut in November, the 20-year-old lock has featured 16 times in the RaboDirect PRO12 - a drastic leap from two substitute appearances last season.

He also crossed over for his first try of the competition against Munster - Friday's semi-final opponents - last month as the Warriors have put together a winning run that stretches to eight games.

Gray, who collected his award as the RaboDirect PRO12 Young Player of the Year on Sunday evening, believes they can carry that momentum into the play-offs.

"I suppose it gives us a bit of confidence but we know how tough it is going to be against Munster," he said. "They have got threats all over the park so we need to get our preparations right if we want a chance.

"We are very happy to have got the home semi-final but it's not going to be an easy task. It's going to be very tough but it is going to be an exciting game.

"We have gathered a bit of momentum with the last couple of wins but I think it is just the competition that the coaches and the club are trying to install.

"In each position there are three or four guys who can come in and do a pretty good job so we have to be on form every game or else someone else will come in - that's competition and that's healthy."

Gray was humbled to pick up his award in Edinburgh on Sunday, which saw him join an impressive list alongside recent winners Tim Visser, Stuart Hogg and Taulupe Faletau.

And he is excited to continue the progression, though the youngster insists he is not letting his mind wander to any Scotland action until the play-offs are done and dusted.

"It's a massive honour, it's very humbling and I'm very grateful to have won it," he added. "You look at the names of previous winners and I am very privileged and very grateful to be a part of it.

"I am very lucky with the opportunities I have had this year. It's surreal to look back on. At the start of the season I wouldn't have expected to play this much.

"I'm just very grateful to the coaches and other players that have helped me through. Al Kellock has been a massive mentor for me so I owe a lot of thanks to him. It has been a great experience this season."

The RaboDirect PRO12 playoffs are building to an exciting conclusion and you can get involved - buy your tickets to Glasgow Warriors v Munster at https://www.eticketing.co.uk/scottishrugby/details/event.aspx?itemref=359