Kelly Brown to retire from rugby

Former Scotland captain Kelly Brown today announced his decision to retire from professional rugby at the end of the season to take up a role as academy coach at Saracens.The inspirational loose-forward – one third of the famous ‘Killer-Bees’ alongside John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie – won 64 caps for Scotland (14 as skipper) and, since arriving from Glasgow Warriors in 2010, helped Saracens to three Premiership championships, a Champions Cup and an Anglo-Welsh Cup.Kelly made a try-scoring debut for Scotland in the 39-19 win over Romania in Bucharest in June 2005. His second Scotland try followed in the 34-22 victory against the Pacific Islanders at BT Murrayfield in the Autumn Tests the next year.His first start in a Six Nations match (his ninth Test) followed against England at Twickenham on the opening day of the 2007 championship, and he marked his World Cup debut with a try as a replacement in the 56-10 win against Portugal later that year in St Etienne.He scored his fourth try for Scotland when he touched down in the second-half of the opening 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship match against France in Paris and was arguably Scotland’s most consistent forward of the tournament.He became the 32nd player to win 50 or more caps for Scotland when he led out his country against New Zealand – his first match as captain – in the 2012 EMC Test at Murrayfield.He said: I always knew this day would come and it seems like only yesterday I was pulling on the black and yellow of Melrose as an 18-year old student.Since then I’ve been hugely fortunate to play the game I love at the highest level for the Border Reivers, Glasgow Warriors, Saracens and Scotland.”Along the way, I’ve met some great people who I can now call friends for life. I have played for four clubs who I care deeply about and to have been able to captain my country is an honour that I’ll always cherish.”I’d like to put on record my thanks to some very important people who have helped me along the way.Firstly, all my coaches, teammates and support staff from school through to Saracens for their unwavering support and inspiration.Secondly, my mum, dad and family who taught me so much in not only the game but the values of life. Finally, and most importantly, my wife Emily and daughters Amber and Leena for all their love, patience and affection – I truly believe I wouldn’t have enjoyed the career I have done without them.”I’m forever grateful to be ending my career at a fantastic club like Saracens. Their support for my family and me has been unstinting and I’m extremely excited to be moving into a new role within the club’s academy next season.”I’ve been lucky to have been able to live my dream for 13-years and now I’m privileged to be able to help others do the same.”Through the ranks…A former pupil of Earlston High School, Kelly studied sports science at Edinburgh University before taking up rugby as a career.He has represented Scotland at four age levels (under-21, under-19, under-18, and under-16) as well as in the sevens squad. He was also captain of Scottish Schools for their last game, against Spain, on 2 April 2000.His under-19 honours included playing all four games in the 2001 world championship in Santiago, Chile. He went on to play 15 times for Scotland under-21, finishing with a victory against England at Newbury in the age group’s 2003 world championship.Kelly, who joined Glasgow Warriors from Border Reivers in summer 2007, represented the Borders at U15, U16, U18, U19, and U20.He has also had considerable experience in the Scotland seven-a-side squad, playing in the IRB Rugby World Cup tournament in Hong Kong in 2005. There he scored two tries in helping Scotland to a top-eight finish in the tournament.He then put his expereince in to action as manager of the Saracens 7s team which lifted the coveted Ladies’ Cup at the 2012 Melrose Sevens.