Glasgow Warriors have been placed on high alert after it was revealed Richie Gray will be sold to the highest bidder if Castres are relegated from the Top 14.

Gray has one year left on his contract but will be released should the club go down, with fellow Scotland internationals Johnnie Beattie and Max Evans also expected to leave.

The 45-times capped second row was ruled out for the rest of the season in February after suffering an upper-arm injury in the Six Nations defeat by Wales. His club have been on a dismal run of form and are second bottom with just 38 points after 21 games.

Glasgow Warriors have been placed on high alert after it was revealed Richie Gray could be sold

Finding the money to bring Gray back to Glasgow, where he started his career before moving to Sale Sharks and then Castres, would be a huge statement of intent by the SRU.

However, over and above funding the club to the tune of over £4.2million a year, they do release money in exceptional circumstances to sign marquee players - the signing of Sean Maitland being the most recent example.

The SRU would face stiff competition for Gray, with Bordeaux Begles, Racing Metro and Toulon all monitoring the situation, while Aviva Premiership clubs would also be interested.