FORMER Scotland captain and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 37-year-old Borderer who is the nephew of a nephew of former Scotland scrum half Roy Laidlaw began his career with Edinburgh before moving on to Gloucester and Clermont Auvergne. He currently plays for Japanese club Urayasu D-Rocks.

Laidlaw earned 76 caps, including 39 Test appearances as captain, and toured New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions.

READ MORE: Tributes to John Jeffrey as he leaves Scottish Rugby role

He retired from international rugby after the 2019 World Cup in Japan and now plans to start a coaching career.

“We intend as a family to stay in Japan a while longer, but it is here I will finally hang up my playing boots,” Laidlaw wrote on Instagram.

Border Telegraph: Former Scotland captain and scrum-half Greig Laidlaw Photo PA Wire

“It is time to take everything I have learnt from a playing career I could only have dreamt of and move on into coaching.

READ MORE: Borders businesses offer friendly welcome to cyclists

“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 team-mates, things I will take with me and continue to develop.

READ MORE: Popular Borders chip van taken off the road as shop closes

“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.”