Grant Gilchrist is a Scottish rugby union player currently plying his trade for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship. Born on August 9, 1990, Gilchrist had his early schooling at Lornshill Academy before embarking on his rugby journey. He started his career with Alloa RFC before moving on to Stirling County RFC.
Gilchrist's potential as a player was recognized early on, and he began his professional journey as an Elite Development player at Edinburgh Rugby. His dedication and talent led him to a stint in New Zealand, where he was awarded the prestigious John Macphail Scholarship and played for Lincoln University. Returning to Edinburgh, he made his senior debut in September 2011, featuring in a 34-13 victory over Cardiff Blues.
The lock forward's international career has been equally impressive. Gilchrist represented Scotland at various age-grade levels, including under-18, under-19, and under-20. He earned his first full cap for Scotland in the 2013 Six Nations Championship, facing France at the Stade de France when he was just 22 years old. Gilchrist's performances caught the attention of national team selectors, and he was chosen by Vern Cotter for the 2014 Scotland rugby union tour of the Americas and South Africa.
Notably, Gilchrist captained Scotland for the first time in June 2014 during a match against Argentina, having scored his first international try against Canada the previous week. Unfortunately, a broken arm suffered while playing for Edinburgh against Lyon prevented him from leading Scotland in their 2014 Autumn Test campaign and forced him to miss the 2015 Six Nations Championship and the rest of the 2014-15 Pro12 season.
Despite setbacks, Gilchrist's towering presence on the field and impressive form for Edinburgh Rugby, including standout performances in the 2012 Heineken Cup campaign, earned him recognition. He has made significant contributions to the Scottish national team and has been selected for various Six Nations tournaments, including 2017, 2018, and 2020. Gilchrist also represented Scotland in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Gilchrist's dedication to Edinburgh Rugby is evident through his numerous appearances for the club, surpassing the 100 mark. His leadership qualities were acknowledged when he was named co-captain of Edinburgh Rugby alongside Stuart McInally for the 2016/17 season. As of June 2020, Gilchrist has made 148 appearances for Edinburgh and has scored 25 points.
Grant Gilchrist's stature, experience, and consistent performances make him an integral part of both Edinburgh Rugby and the Scottish national team. His contributions on and off the field have solidified his position as a respected figure in Scottish rugby.
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, Gilchrist has been named in the squad for Scotland.
KG(10/06/2023)
Career
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Edinburgh Rugby No 4 Lock |
2010 - present |
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Scotland No 4 Lock |
2012 - present |
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Scotland U20's No 4 Lock |
2009 - 2010 |
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Alloa RFC No 4 Lock |
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Stirling County RFC No 4 Lock |
