Jackson calls time on playing career

Glasgow Warriors centurion Ruaridh Jackson has announced that he will retire from rugby union at the end of the 2019/20 season.

The
32-year-old has made 163 appearances over two spells with the club, having made
his Glasgow Warriors debut against GRAN Parma back in 2006.

He returned
to the club in the summer of 2017 following stints at English Premiership sides
Wasps and Harlequins, becoming a key component of Dave Rennie’s squad during
his first season at the helm.

Equally
comfortable at fly-half and full-back, Jackson’s experience and versatility
made an instant impression upon his return as his form saw him voted as the
club’s Players Player of the Season at the end of his first season back with
the Warriors.

His tally of
499 points makes him one of the sharpest shooters in club history, with the
former Robert Gordon’s College pupil sitting fifth in the club’s all-time
points charts.

A confident
operator both with the boot and with ball in hand, Jackson enjoyed a dream
international debut back in 2010; the replacement fly-half held his nerve to
kick a last-gasp penalty against Samoa in his hometown of Aberdeen, handing
Scotland a narrow victory over the Pacific Islanders.

32 further
caps for his country followed, a tally that included an appearance at the 2011
Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Jackson also
had the distinction of representing Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games,
helping Scotland 7s to a sixth-place finish on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The
centurion has made 12 appearances to date for the Warriors this season, scoring
a brace of tries Leinster at Scotstoun back in November.

“It has been
one hell of a ride,” Jackson told glasgowwarriors.org.

“From school
and mini rugby coaches, Sean Lineen giving me the opportunity to sign my first
pro contract, all the other coaches, medical teams, back room 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.”

Speaking
following the announcement, Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie said: “Ruaridh
is a top man whose contribution to our club has been immense.

“While most
of his footy had been played at 10 historically, his impact at fullback for us
over the past three seasons was impressive. He led our Creck, a group dedicated
to driving our counter-attack, turnover and exit policies, where his composure
and innovation created opportunities to attack from deep, whilst his ability to
kick well off either foot was a real strength.

“An
environmentally and community minded individual, Jacko has been a great role
model for our squad regarding planning for life beyond rugby.

“We wish
Ruaridh, Kirsten and their expected arrival all the best for the next stage in
their lives.”

Glasgow
Warriors Managing Director Nathan Bombrys said: “Ruaridh is one of our all-time
great Warriors and has had an outstanding career with the club.

“In his two
stints over his nine years with the Warriors he has played in some of our
biggest games, finals and Semi-Finals at both fly-half and at full-back, and
hangs up his boots with his name fifth in our all-time points scoring chart.

“He has
always been an exciting player who gives everything he has to the club, and it
was so impressive when he returned to the club in 2017 and had an outstanding
season that saw him recognised as Player’s Player of the 2017/18 Season.

“Ruaridh has
been such a tremendous servant to our club, on and off the field, and we hope
he will stay connected to the club in the years to come.We wish Ruaridh and his wife Kirsten all the
best for the next chapter in their lives.”