Share

Chris Patersen set to retire

London - Scotland's most-capped player Chris Paterson is poised to end his 12-year international career.

The 33-year-old, who has won 109 caps and scored 809 points - both Scotland records - is also the only Scot to have appeared in four Rugby World Cups, most recently this year's edition in New Zealand.

A versatile player capable of appearing in several positions in the backline, the Edinburgh fullback Paterson has been hampered lately by a groin injury.

He is, however, expected to continue his club career.

Paterson is due to confirm his Test retirement at a Murrayfield news conference here on Wednesday.

He made his international debut in a 1999 World Cup match against Spain before becoming a Test regular during the inaugural Six Nations tournament the following year.

Paterson has played for Scotland on the wing and at flyhalf, as well as fullback.

He started his career with Borders club Gala before two spells at Edinburgh were interrupted by a brief stint with English Premiership club Gloucester.

Paterson surpassed Gavin Hastings as Scotland's leading points scorer and Scott Murray's cap record on the 2008 tour to Argentina.

He then won his 100th cap - becoming the first and so far only player to appear for Scotland in a hundred Tests - against Wales in Cardiff in 2010 but suffered a lacerated kidney in the match.

Paterson also captained Scotland on 12 occasions, between 2004 and 2007, and, following his kidney injury, he returned in the November 2010 win over South Africa and forced his way back into the starting line-up during the last Six Nations championship.

Paterson was one of the most outstanding international goalkickers of his era and his points were all the more valuable for Scotland teams that often struggled to score tries.

He landed 36 successive Test shots at goal between August 2007 and June 2008.

Paterson has also scored 22 Test tries - two short of the Scotland record - although he last crossed the line against Romania in the 2007 World Cup.

What appears to have been his final Test appearance took place against arch-rivals England in Auckland in October where a 16-12 defeat meant Scotland surrendered their proud record of always qualifying for the knockout stages of a World Cup.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE