Thursday 5 November 2015 12:00, UK
Scotland back-row Alasdair Strokosch has announced his retirement from international rugby after earning 47 caps for his country.
The 32-year-old made his first full international appearance as a replacement against Australia in the 2006 Autumn Tests before earning his first Six Nations start against Ireland at Croke Park in 2008.
He played in the World Cups of 2011 and 2015, with his last representative honour coming in the 39-16 pool win over USA at Elland Road last month.
He said: "I've been lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream of representing Scotland. 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.
"I believe that the group we have now are among the most talented that I've seen have the potential to achieve great things for Scottish rugby. I would have never achieved anything without the support over the years, particularly from Bob Easson, Carl Hogg, Dean Ryan, Shaun Longstaff, my parents and my wife Kirsty."
Strokosch will focus the remainder of his professional playing days at his French club Perpignan and national coach Vern Cotter lead the tributes from Murrayfield.
He 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.
"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."
