Chris Paterson to retire from international rugby

22/12/2011

Fans who book Six Nations hospitality packages at Murrayfield for Scotland's home matches in the 2012 tournament will watch a team getting to grips with the loss of its most experienced player.

That is because Chris Paterson, the most-capped international rugby player in Scotland's history, has announced his decision to retire from the sport.

The 34-year-old will continue to play for his club, Edinburgh Rugby, until his current contract expires, but he will not wear his country's shirt again.

Paterson has excelled for the Scots over a 12-year international career in which he has appeared at four Rugby World Cups, including this year's competition in New Zealand.

"Since coming back 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," he told www.scotlandrugbyteam.org.

The announcement comes in the same month that England legend Jonny Wilkinson also confirmed he is quitting the international game