- published: 23 May 2014
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Gregor Peter John Townsend MBE (born 26 April 1973 in Galashiels) is a former Scottish rugby union player and now the Head Coach of the Glasgow Warriors. Townsend represented both Scotland and the British and Irish Lions winning 82 caps for Scotland (twice as captain) and two for the Lions. He has played club rugby in Scotland, Australia, England, South Africa, and France.
Townsend was first with Gala RFC, coming through from their ranks from the mini section. He won his first full cap for Scotland in March 1993. In the 1999 Five Nations Championship, Townsend scored a try against every other country, becoming the first Scotsman since 1925 to achieve this feat. His efforts helped Scotland become champions.
In 1995 Gregor joined Northampton Saints and then joined Brive in 1998. In 2000 he stayed in France but moved to Castres. In 2004, free to travel the world after being relieved of Scotland duties, he represented the Natal Sharks in the then Super 12 and played the 2004–05 season with Montpellier in France. He returned to the Borders for the 2005–06 season as a player and coach.