Scottish stalwart calls it a day

Scotland's most-capped player Chris Paterson has put an end to his 12-year international career, but won't hang up his boots altogether and will continue playing for Edinburgh.

The 33-year-old, who has won 109 caps and scored 809 points - both Scotland records - is also the only Scot to have appeared in four Rugby World Cups, most recently this year's edition in New Zealand.

A versatile player capable of appearing in several positions in the backline, the Edinburgh fullback has been hampered lately by a groin injury.

Paterson made his international debut in a 1999 World Cup match against Spain before becoming a Test regular during the inaugural Six Nations tournament the following year.

He has played for Scotland on the wing and at flyhalf, as well as fullback, and surpassed Gavin Hastings as Scotland's leading points-scorer and Scott Murray's cap record on the 2008 tour to Argentina.

He then won his 100th cap - becoming the first and so far only player to appear for Scotland in a hundred Tests - against Wales in Cardiff in 2010 but suffered a lacerated kidney in the match.

Paterson was one of the most outstanding international goal-kickers of his era and his points were all the more valuable for Scotland teams that often struggled to score tries. He landed 36 successive Test shots at goal between August 2007 and June 2008.

Paterson has also scored 22 Test tries - two short of the Scotland record - although he last crossed the line against Romania in the 2007 World Cup.

"I've always said I wanted to bow out at the highest level of the game, while I still had the ability to go on," Paterson said.

"It was a massive goal for me to play for Scotland at my fourth Rugby World Cup, especially after the injury on the day of my 100th cap.

"I did get to New Zealand, not only that, I felt I played well and my final game, against England at Eden Park, was a special occasion, a brilliant atmosphere and such an intense game.

"Since coming back (from the RWC) I've had a while to think about it and I believe now is the right time to make my decision, especially when I've still been playing well at that level.

"My biggest fear would be devaluing what I have achieved and devaluing the jersey. You have to stop at some point and this is the right time for me."

Paterson, who turns 34 in March, will continue to give his all to his club, Edinburgh, for the remainder of his contract, which concludes at the end of this season, although he does have the option to extend for one more year.

His career, then, has been played out in the full glare of celebrity where the labels "star" and "hero" are liberally proffered and might turn many a player's head.

He explained: "That's just not me. I'm aware people can change but I've always had old-fashioned values.

"At my first club, Gala, if you played well, you got a pat on the back, if not, you were soon told about it. So for me it's always been important to deliver for my family and friends and for the supporters, to make them proud."

Paterson has set goals throughout his career and has never been one for any hoo-ha but alongside his 100th cap, there are other obvious highlights.

"Everyone remembers their first cap," he admitted.

"My ambition was to experience what I'd watched both at Murrayfield and on the TV when I was growing up. I wanted to know what that felt like and desperately wanted to make a good job of it and I'm so lucky to have done that 109 times."

While the debate raged about his credentials in the No.10 jersey, Paterson largely kept his own counsel.

"Yes, I grew up as a flyhalf but I've played most of my rugby in the back three and, whether it sounds cheesy or not, the truth is I would have played anywhere for Scotland.

"It's not a topic that I have any regrets about. My gut feel is that if I'd stayed at flyhalf I don't think I would have had over 100 caps as you need to be in the (defensive) frontline a bit more at ten."

He captained Scotland on twelve occasions, too, and it seemed was always one of the trusted lieutenants to whom a coach would turn.

Paterson concluded: "Ian McGeechan always said that as a player you don't own the jersey, you just fill it for the time you're lucky enough to have that duty and you seek to make the people who filled it before you proud and also your family, friends and supporters proud."

AFP and rugby365.com