Blair calls time on glittering playing career

Scotland’s most capped scrum-half and 2009 British & Irish Lions tourist Mike Blair today announced his decision to retire from rugby.Blair, who made 85 appearances for his country – 14 as captain – in a glittering ten-year international career that featured three Rugby World Cups, will remain at Glasgow Warriors where he will take up a coaching role from the beginning of the 2016/17 season.Scotland careerBlair made a try-scoring debut against Canada aged 21 on the 2002 North America tour, having already won honours at Schools, under-19, under-21, 7s and ‘A’ levels.He was named Scotland’s Player of the Year in 2008 – captaining Scotland to Calcutta Cup success that year – and was the first Scotsman to be nominated for the IRB (now World Rugby) International Player of the Year.Speaking in an extended Scottish Rugby TV interview at BT Murrayfield, Blair said: I’ve got a lot of memories that will live with me for the rest of my life; beating England here a couple of times [2006 and 2008], beating France and also Australia away from home, and playing in a European Cup semi-final with Edinburgh. There are plenty of memories.I can still hear the noise of the crowd in my head now. In 2006 they switched off all the floodlights and there was a lone piper on the roof blasting out Highland Cathedral.Even as I speak now the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.Calcutta CupHe continued: Scotland-England in 2008 stands out for me.We had struggled in the Championship, and it was the first game I was captain at BT Murrayfield. There was a lot of pressure on me, and on a team that hadn’t been too successful.I watched the last 5 minutes of the game from the changing room and I remember that, when we won, rather than having that incredible joy of winning the game, I just burst into tears because of the massive relief that came from getting a result that took the pressure off a bit.That moment kind of sums up what it’s like to play for Scotland. You want to do your best and make everyone proud: the supporters, your family, and your friends. It means so much.”Southern hemisphere successBlair twice tasted southern hemisphere tour success, returning undefeated from Argentina in 2010 and from Australia, Fiji and Samoa in 2012, before calling time on his Test career ahead of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations, retiring as Scotland’s then third-most capped player of all-time.The touring side of things was probably the best part of rugby for me,” added Blair.Spending time with the guys, in an environment that’s so hard to replicate.Some of my fondest memories are from the tour of Australia, Fiji and Samoa. It was absolutely phenomenal. We won all three games, and the scenery and welcome from the people in all of the countries made for a really great tour.”Local ladA product of The Edinburgh Academy, Edinburgh Accies and Boroughmuir RFC, Blair also enjoyed ten years with Edinburgh Rugby, starting 148 of his 169 appearances and scoring 103 points – his solitary three-pointer coming as a drop-goal in the club’s 2007 home Heineken Cup win over Leinster (29-10).Blair was twice named Edinburgh’s Player of the Seaso, helped them reach the runners-up spot in the Magners league in 2009, and quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2012 respectively – scoring a try against Toulouse [right] in the 2012 quarter-final in front of a record club crowd at BT Murrayfield – before embarking on a new chapter in his career with Brive, Newcastle Falcons, and Glasgow Warriors.He concluded: “I think it’ll take six months to a year for it to settle in, but you find other motivations or challenges in life.”One of mine will be through my new role as Assistant Coach with Glasgow Warriors and trying to improve those players. I’ll get my enjoyment from watching them on the pitch.”I’ve had some magnificent players around me, I’ve loved my time representing Scotland, and it’s been a massive honour to play for all the teams over the years.Of course it’s sad that it’s come to an end, but I’ve had a good stint.”