Former Scotland captain announces plans to hang up his boots

Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw has announced his decision to hang up his boots and move into coaching.

The 37-year-old, who kicked-off his career at his home town club Jed-Forest, is currently playing in Japan with Urayasu D-Rocks.

Last month, he helped the second division side reach the promotion-relegation play-off.

Posting on Instagram, Laidlaw said: "Playing rugby in Japan has been the most incredible experience. Japanese culture is amazing and to be able to see my children growing up here, watching them learn a new language and adapt to a different way of life is a privilege I will never take for granted. 

"We intend as a family to stay in Japan a while longer but it is here I will finally hang up my playing boots. It is time to take everything I have learnt, from a playing career I could only have dreamt of, and move on into coaching.

"Throughout my playing career I have pushed myself, I have taken on new experiences, continuously learnt and immersed myself in different cultures. I have always enjoyed figuring out how to work as a team and how to get the best out of my teammates, things I will take with me and continue to develop. 

"I believe I have developed a really strong skillset in performing under pressure and leadership, the two areas that I have learnt most about and that have always fascinated me."

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The nephew of former Scotland scrum-half Roy, Laidlaw retired from international rugby in 2019, having played in two World Cups and been a member of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 2017.

He came though the system at Jedburgh and played for Edinburgh, Gloucester and Clermont before moving to Japan in 2020.

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Laidlaw added: "As a player I would like to thank so many different people not least Rachel and the boys for supporting my dreams and allowing me to live them. To everyone who has supported my playing journey, a huge thank you and I hope you will be part of my next chapter also."

Last month, fellow Borderer Stuart Hogg announced he will retire from rugby after the World Cup this year. The 30-year-old Scotland and Exeter full-back, who won his 100th cap during the Six Nations, said he wants to “finish at the top end of the game”.

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