Scotland's Greig Laidlaw announces international retirement
"My head tells me that it's time to let the team rebuild," says former captain Laidlaw
Thursday 19 December 2019 13:15, UK
Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from international rugby.
The 34-year-old Clermont scrum-half won 76 caps and captained his country on a record 39 occasions after making his debut against New Zealand in 2010.
Laidlaw - who becomes the third Scotland player after flanker John Barclay and wing Tommy Seymour to retire from the international game since the World Cup - is the second-highest points' scorer in their history.
"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," Laidlaw said in a statement.
"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 teammates out on to the pitch at Murrayfield, is incredibly hard.
"While my body and heart could continue playing, my head tells me that it's 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."
Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend paid tribute to Laidlaw, who followed in the footsteps of his uncle Roy Laidlaw by representing his country.
Townsend said: "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."
