They often say that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
That’s not the case, of course, if your neighbour’s lawn has been ravaged by the onset of Pythium blight.
Nick Grigg could have been lured elsewhere when his contract with the Glasgow Warriors expired but, amid speculation about interest from the likes of Wasps and La Rochelle, the 27-year-old centre took stock. In the end, the Dear Green Place, it seems, remains just that.
A casual blether with the incoming Warriors coach, Danny Wilson, provided reassurance while team-mates that had left Glasgow but returned for another stint emphasised the sense of belonging and the strength of the ties that bind.
Scotstoun remains something of a home from home for the New Zealand-born Scotland cap.
“When Danny [Wilson] rang me and said he was keen for me to stay, it kind of swayed me a bit and made me think maybe I should stay in an environment that I was comfortable in and happy with,” admitted Grigg who has signed a new two-year contract.
“It was a pretty basic conversation. He just told me that he sees a future for me at the club and he would like me to stay at the club. I’ve known him in the Scotland set-up, so I know him quite well, and he’s a real straight-up, honest guy.
“The fact that he was saying that he saw me as part of the future and was keen for me to stay at the club - that was enough to persuade me.
“In the end it was quite an easy decision to stay for another couple of years. Glasgow’s like a second home to me now.
“There were rumours and speculation going around. It’s kind of natural when a player is out of contract, I guess, that he’s going to explore options elsewhere.
“A couple of clubs [got in touch] with my agent, but there was nothing really definitive. You always look at other opportunities and it was nice to know that there were others out there. But at the end of the day I’m happy here. The grass is not always greener.”
The likes of DTH van der Merwe, Niko Matawalu and Leone Nakarawa may vouch for the truth in that statement. All three are back for a second stint at the Warriors.
“A lot of players actually leave Glasgow and end up coming back a couple of years later saying that the environment we have is nothing like any other club,” added Grigg, who currently has nine caps for Scotland.
“Although the weather can be challenging at times, it’s the boys at the club and the coaching environment that makes it such a unique place to be.”
It’s been a busy week of wheeling and dealing for Glasgow. Rob Harley signed a new two-year deal the other day while Argentina international Enrique Pieretto agreed to join the club from Exeter in the summer.
Matters now turn to tomorrow’s PRO14 match with Zebre and Grigg is keen to get cracking and bolster Glasgow’s push for a play-off place.
“I got knocked out pretty badly against Benetton in Treviso (last month) but I passed all my tests and I’m good to go,” said Grigg, whose powerful ball-carrying is a valuable weapon in the armoury of the Warriors.
“We’re sitting fourth at the moment. There are a fair few games to go we still have confidence that we can make it into the play-offs.”
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