Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland prop Allan Jacobsen has announced his retirement from international duty.
The player known throughout the game as ‘Chunk’ made his first RBS 6 Nations start against Italy in Rome in 2004 and went on to become Scotland’s most capped prop, surpassing Tom Smith with his 62nd cap against Samoa in 2010.
However with Ryan Grant having started both of Scotland’s tests this autumn, Jacobsen has decided to call time on his Scotland career to focus on club side Edinburgh.
He said: “To play international rugby you have to be absolutely committed. You have to make sacrifices and do all the extra stuff in training and preparation to be right.
“I’ve always tried to do that throughout my career and playing for Scotland has meant the world to me.
“But the minute there is the possibility of it feeling like a chore – well, that’s the slippery slope for me and I would never want to do anything that would either devalue the Scotland jersey or anything that I’ve achieved.”
A popular figure amongst Scotland fans, Jacobsen’s trademark rumbles with ball in hand and passion for the shirt were always a source of encouragement to the rest of the side.
Scotland coach Andy Robinson also paid tribute to the prop’s ten-year Scotland career.
He said: “Chunk has been a great servant of the Scotland team and on behalf of the team management I want to thank him for all his endeavours.
“I particularly admire how hard he worked to fight back from injury after the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the effort he put in to be our starting prop in all four games at last year’s World Cup in New Zealand.”
The 34-year-old intends to play on for his club Edinburgh Rugby, who he has made 250 appearances for since 1997. He retires with a total of 65 caps for Scotland.
