Former Saints and Scotland flanker Scott Gray says that returning to Franklin’s Gardens brought back fond memories.
Gray was at last weekend's game against Bath with Harare school St John’s College, where he is now Director of Rugby.
Joining Saints in 2008, Gray helped the club to the European Rugby Challenge Cup title during 41 appearances, while also earning eight caps for Scotland.
Speaking in this week’s podcast, Gray said that he was happy to be back at the Gardens to see how much its changed since he left.
“It’s fantastic to be back and see Franklin’s Gardens and all the changes that have now taken place," he says. "It’s looking amazing.
“In some ways it’s hard coming back because I have such fond memories, and it’s sad to not still be here.”
Now coaching in Zimbabwe, Gray wants to pass on the message that you get out of rugby what you put in.
“When I first went back to Zimbabwe, I went back to the school which I came through, Peterhouse, and I was coaching there for three years and now I’ve moved onto another school St John’s College who I’m currently here in the UK with on a rugby tour.
“Pretty much everything I learned in my years of playing I’m now trying to impart on these boys to try to show them what they can actually achieve.
“I felt I was always quite limited as a player. I was never the natural athlete who could be a huge unit. I always struggled to get up to the weights required for my position so I always thought that coaching was something that I would more excel at because of the physical limitations I had as a player.
“But limitations are only there if you allow them be. I worked really hard to overcome mine and that’s something that I’m trying to instil in the boys and say ‘you can do these things but you’ve got to be the one to put in the hard work’.”
Listen to Gray's full interview on the embedded player above, or CLICK HERE to subscribe or download this week's podcast.
