Alasdair Strokosch calls time on Scotland rugby union career

London // Scotland back-row forward Alasdair Strokosch has announced his retirement from international rugby union.

The 32-year-old, who is continuing his club career with French second division side Perpignan, won 47 caps during nine years of Test rugby.

Strokosch’s last Scotland appearance came during the 39-16 World Cup pool win over the United States in Leeds, northern England, last month.

The tournament ended in heartache for the Scots after referee Craig Joubert’s last-minute award of a penalty allowed Australia to win a dramatic quarter-final by just one point at Twickenham, but Strokosch was optimistic about the team’s future.

“I’ve been lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream of representing Scotland,” said Strokosch in a statement issued by the Scottish Rugby Union on Thursday.

“Wearing the thistle has been the greatest honour and responsibility of my life outside of raising my children and I treasure every memory from my time with the squad,” added Strokosch, who made his international debut against Australia at Murrayfield in 2006.

“I believe that the group we have now are among the most talented that I’ve seen and have the potential to achieve great things for Scottish rugby.”

Scotland coach Vern Cotter said: “On behalf of the Scotland squad and management, I’d like to thank Alasdair for his commitment to the Scotland jersey over the past nine years.

“For almost a decade he has quietly gone about his business with exceptional professionalism, with a lot of the hard work put in -- often in the less glamorous and combative areas of the park -- going unseen,” added the New Zealander.

“We wish him all the very best in the remaining days with Perpignan, where I know he’s committed to doing everything he can to ensure their return to the Top 14 before finally hanging up his boots.”

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