The flanker returned to the Saints line-up at Gloucester on Saturday after spending the autumn internationals on the bench for Scotland.

And Gray feels the Scottish pack's performances against New Zealand and South Africa mean they can be real contenders for the European crown when the tournament kicks-off in February.

Saints star Euan Murray earned rave reviews for his displays for Scotland, being tipped by many to start for the Lions next summer, and with the 28-year-old at the cornerstone of Frank Hadden's pack, Gray is confident ahead of the Six Nations.

"We have got a really good pack," said Gray, who scored his second try for Saints during the defeat at Kingsholm on Saturday.

"We've got an international quality pack that can compete with anybody.

"If we can train and perform and maybe take it up a level from how we performed in the autumn internationals then we will have just as good a shot in the Six Nations as anybody else.

"I think we can match anybody in the pack.

We matched South Africa, the world champions.

With Euan in the scrum we had by far the better scrum against them, and against the All Blacks I thought we didn't take a backward step there either."

Scotland, who have been drawn with England and Argentina in group B for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, begin their Six Nations campaign against the champions Wales at Murrayfield on February 8 and an opening game win against Warren Gatland's side would certainly light up the championship and their chances.

And this year the Scots have the advantage of three home games, with Italy and Ireland to visit Murrayfield as well.

And they will be confident of getting wins at out-of-form England and inconsistent France.

Gray, though, is just concentrating on performing for Saints first to win his place back in the Scotland squad.

"The Six Nations is a long way away, anything can happen with injuries and stuff," said the Zimbabwean-born Gray, who qualifies for Scotland through his Scottish father.

"Firstly I have got to get back in the squad by playing well for Northampton, but we have as good a chance as anybody."