Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw has decided to call time on his international career following years as one of the country’s main men.
The No 9, who has made 76 appearances for the Scots and holds the record for the most caps as captain with 39, admitted that it was a huge decision for him to make, but believes the time is right to move on.
“Emotionally, this decision was incredibly tough. However, when I reflected on what I have learned from playing Test level rugby and where Scotland is as a national team, it makes sense. Captaining your country to victory is the stuff of childhood dreams. To say I will never again stand in the tunnel, filled with nerves, alongside my rugby family and lead my team-mates out on to the pitch at BT Murrayfield is incredibly hard. While my body and heart could continue playing, my head tells me that it is time to let the team rebuild. In terms of where Scotland is now, they are in a position to spring forward and I cannot wait to give them my full support from the stands,” he said.
Laidlaw went on to thank everyone from staff and teammates to fans and those closest to him.
He had indicated that he would retire following the Scots Rugby World Cup exit at the pool stages in Japan earlier this year, so it is not a surprise to many fans.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has paid tribute to Laidlaw and praised him as one of the best players the country has ever seen.
“Greig has been an outstanding servant for Scottish rugby through the passion and skill he displayed when wearing the thistle on his chest and also on the many occasions he led the side. That he began his Scotland career at stand-off before claiming the number nine jersey shows what an exceptional rugby player he is and was for Scotland and, to be captain on so many occasions, rightly places him alongside the best players to ever led the national team,” he said.
The nation’s second-highest points scorer with 714, joins both Tommy Seymour and John Barclay, who have also retired from test rugby within the past couple of weeks as Scotland look toward the next batch of youngsters to lead them forward.
Both of them have confirmed they will be staying on in a club capacity and it appears as though Laidlaw will continue playing for French Top 14 giants Clermont, who are currently trying to get through their Champions Cup group, while challenging domestically too.
