Ruaridh Jackson is ready to embrace a new challenge having lived his childhood dream, after announcing his retirement from rugby.
Jackson won 33 Scotland caps between 2010 and 2018, with the majority of those coming at fly-half – although he was equally comfortable at full-back.
He made his debut off the bench as a 22-year-old against the All Blacks during the 2010 autumn internationals before appearing four times during the 2011 Championship a few months later.
His final international appearance came against Canada in June 2018, while Jackson also represented Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, helping the rugby sevens side to a sixth-place finish on Australia’s Gold Coast.
And after a club career that began and ended with Glasgow Warriors – and included spells south of the border at Wasps and Harlequins in between – the 32-year-old is hanging up his boots at the end of the 2019/20 season.
“It has been one hell of a ride,” Jackson told the official Glasgow Warriors website. “From school and mini rugby coaches, Sean Lineen giving me the opportunity to sign my first pro contract, all the other coaches, medical teams, backroom staff that I have worked with throughout the years, I want to say thank you – you have all played a huge part in my career.
“I’ve been so fortunate to live out my childhood dream of playing rugby, not just professionally but for my country.
“It’s been a journey that has allowed me to travel the world, make some incredible friends and without doubt has given me some of the happiest days of my life.
“It is not the fairytale ending I may have dreamt about, but I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of my 14-year journey as it has truly been an incredible one.
“I have achieved more than I could ever have dreamed of, but it is now time to embrace a new challenge.”
