Edinburgh - Chris Paterson has retired from Scotland's rugby team after a 12-year international career in which he became his country's all-time leading scorer and most capped player.
The 33-year-old Paterson's decision to quit immediately robs Scotland of some of the most accurate goal-kicking in international rugby.
The versatile back scored 809 points for an often struggling team, kicking 699. Only two Scots have scored more than his 22 tries.
Paterson says he wants to quit before age starts affecting his game since "my biggest fear would be devaluing what I have achieved and devaluing the jersey."
He made his debut at the 1999 World Cup and made the last of his 109 appearances against England at this year's tournament.
The 33-year-old Paterson's decision to quit immediately robs Scotland of some of the most accurate goal-kicking in international rugby.
The versatile back scored 809 points for an often struggling team, kicking 699. Only two Scots have scored more than his 22 tries.
Paterson says he wants to quit before age starts affecting his game since "my biggest fear would be devaluing what I have achieved and devaluing the jersey."
He made his debut at the 1999 World Cup and made the last of his 109 appearances against England at this year's tournament.