Scotland's Greig Laidlaw has announced his retirement from all rugby at the age of 37.

The utility back earned 76 caps for his country before retiring from international rugby as Scotland's most-capped captain after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Laidlaw amassed an impressive 714 Test points, trailing only Chris Paterson's 809.

In that time, Laidlaw played in two Rugby World Cups and toured with the British and Irish Lions squad in New Zealand in 2017.

Since, the Edinburgh native has been plying his trade in Japan with the Urayasu D-Rocks. On Wednesday, he took to Instagram to post a picture of his family fieldside in Tokyo to announce his retirement."Playing rugby in Japan has been the most incredible experience," he captioned.

"Japanese culture is amazing and to be able to see my children growing up here, watching them learn a new language and adapt to a different way of life is a privilege I will never take for granted.

"We intend as a family to stay in Japan a while longer but it is here I will finally hang up my playing boots. It is time to take everything I have learnt, from a playing career I could only have dreamt of, and move on into coaching.

"Throughout my playing career I have pushed myself, I have taken on new experiences, continuously learnt and immersed myself in different cultures. I have always enjoyed figuring out how to work as a team and how to get the best out of my teammates, things I will take with me and continue to develop.

"I believe I have developed a really strong skillset in performing under pressure and leadership, the two areas that I have learnt most about and that have always fascinated me.

"As a player I would like to thank so many different people not least Rachel and the boys for supporting my dreams and allowing me to live them. To everyone who has supported my playing journey, a huge thank you and I hope you will be part of my next chapter also."

ENGLAND-ROSES

Khanyisa Chawane says external factors influenced Nations Cup title defeat

Proteas look ahead to the second test against England Roses

Editors Pick