Chris Paterson To Retire From Test Rugby

Chris Paterson is expected to announce his retirement from International rugby later this Wednesday.  Before I go any further with this blog on one of Scottish Rugby's greatest servants, let's look at the numbers.

109 international caps for Scotland since his debut in RWC '99.  809 test points scored, highest in Scottish history (22 tries, 90 conversions 3 DG's and 170 penalties).  12 caps as captain of his country.  15 games played in 4 Rugby World Cups.

An incredible achievement indeed.  As a huge fan of Scottish Rugby, I've not always been a fan of Paterson.  I feel he was always a winger; his pace and 7's experience made him perfect for the position.  But all too often he has played at full back where I think he has always been a bit lightweight, never the best defender.

But Paterson has always been an attack minded player.  When he did play at full back, he used the opportunity to employ his natural counter attacking style, a style that suited broken play.  His pace early in his career was refreshing for the Scottish Game, but of all of his many attributes, it will be his goal kicking that he will be remembered for.

Chris Paterson - Mr Reliant at the kicking tee

Paterson became one of the most consistent goal kickers in world rugby.  He successfully kicked 36 consecutive goals for Scotland between 11 August 2007 and 7 June 2008, not missing a single attempt during the 2007 Rugby World Cup or the 2008 Six Nations Championship.  His 809 points eclipses the previous record of 667 held by the legendary Gavin Hastings.

His 109 caps also dominates the previous record of 87 by Scott Murray and his 15 RWC appearances is one more than Doddie Weir's record of 14.

It feels like Paterson has been around forever, but he announces his retirement at the age of 33.  So what has been the key to his longevity?  Certainly, his attitude to rugby has always been first class. He trains hard and well, he has always spent a lot of time working on the basics of the game and works on his weaknesses.  As mentioned, he has never been the strongest defender, but that doesn't mean he won't throw his body on the line for the cause, often causing injury like the impact to his kidney during the first few minutes of his landmark 100th cap in Wales.  His dedication to his country has been unprecedented.

Scottish rugby is losing a true servant, humble and always consummately professional.  World rugby is losing an ambassador for the game.  But I get the feeling that this quiet, unassuming rugby thinker will be back after his playing days with Edinburgh  in some form of role at the SRU.  And well deserved it would be.