Scotland have just lost 207 caps of experience through retirements, but fans still hopeful of bright future

Another long-serving member of the Scotland team retired from international rugby this week as Grieg Laidlaw brought his 76-match Test career to an end. 

The 34-year-old joins fellow former Scotland captain John Barclay in retirement, as well as Tommy Seymour, who toured on the 2017 British and Irish Lions with Laidlaw. 

Since Scotland crashed out of the World Cup in the pool stage, head coach Gregor Townsend has lost 207 caps-worth of experience between those three players who have been mainstays in the national team for the best part of a decade. 

It is for that reason that many fans are lamenting the end of an era for Scottish rugby. However, it is equally the beginning of a new one with some very promising players. 

In every position that has seen these Scots retire there are players that will ably step up to replace them.

Greig, Tommy and Barclay! The end of one of our most promising eras in recent times. All will be sadly missed! #giveittotommy

— Euan Graham (@grahameu) December 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/RugbyHotTakes/status/1207636187717996546?s=20

An absolute titan of Scottish Rugby who will be sorely missed. Very capable successor in Ali Price, but still irreplaceable. https://t.co/LpnPWLEY29

— Stephen Warwick (@StephenWarwick9) December 19, 2019

Flankers like Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie are both vying for the blue seven shirt, while Magnus Bradbury is shaping up to be Scotland’s blindside flanker for years to come in Barclay’s absence. 

Ali Price and Laidlaw have battled for the nine shirt over the past year or so, and George Horne showed in the RWC that he is a Test player. 

Elsewhere, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn are two wingers that are prime candidates to fill the void left by Seymour. While these are big names leaving Scottish rugby, there is undoubtedly the class at Townsend’s disposal to take the team forward as they build for the next RWC. 

Greig, Tommy and Barclay! The end of one of our most promising eras in recent times. All will be sadly missed! #giveittotommy

— Euan Graham (@grahameu) December 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/DamoMead/status/1207641447928913920?s=20

Definitely the end of an era for @Scotlandteam as Greig Laidlaw retires as an international. So many games in recent years have been won from his boot / calm game management from scrum half. Definite Scotland legend. https://t.co/buw7dgONfI pic.twitter.com/ofH6RETAFF

— Gordon Sheach (@GSheach) December 19, 2019

Laidlaw even highlighted this in an Instagram post in which he said “my head tells me that it is time to let the team rebuild. In terms of where Scotland is now, they are in a position to spring forward and I cannot wait to give them my full support from the stands”. 

Such is his devotion to the national team, that he has chosen what he feels to be the best time to step down. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6QNpTYiCZU/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

What a player, what a captain. Will be missed! Time for Ali Price and George Horne to step up #Laidlaw @Scotlandteam https://t.co/tGSVjOaorb

— Ryan Hunter (@16Ryanhunter) December 19, 2019

Immense contribution to Scottish Rugby and possibly the most unflappable set piece kicker ever to pull on the jersey. Luckily we are blessed with a fine crop of talent at 9. Fare thee well, Greeg. https://t.co/p5ordCq4NE

— Kris Gilmartin (@Kris_Gilmartin) December 19, 2019

The Clermont scrum-half has finished his international career with 714 points, the second-most in his country’s history, and with a Scottish record of captaining his side in 39 Test matches. 

He has not been without his critics throughout his career due to his style of play, but no one has faulted his contribution in a Scotland shirt since making his debut in 2010 in what has been described as a difficult period. He now leaves the shirt in a better place. 

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