Scotland international calls time on playing career - Ruck
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Scotland international calls time on playing career

18 May 2020
Steven
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.

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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. I have achieved more than I could ever have dreamed of, but it is now time to embrace a new challenge. I have been so fortunate to live out my childhood dream of playing rugby not just professionally but for my country. It has 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. I have played at some amazing clubs, Wasps, Harlequins and of course two stints at Glasgow Warriors, which will always hold a special place in my heart. The supporters at all these clubs have been immense and will be one of the things I will miss most. There are many people that have helped me along the way, from school and mini rugby coaches, Sean Lineen helping me sign my first pro contract, the other coaches, medical teams, back room staff that I have worked with throughout the years. The team at Red Sky Management that have been through it all with me, Rowen and Rhona you have been a major part in shaping my career on and off the field. My family who have been without doubt my biggest and best supporters. Your support has meant everything. My wife, Kirstin; I could not have shared it all with a better sidekick, along with my family you have been my biggest source of strength and laughs throughout the dark times and the good! Throughout my playing career I have learnt a lot about how to improve my performance and the importance to me of teamwork, accountability, communication and thriving under pressure. Within team culture there is an emphasis placed on the value of relationships and this, along with hard work will always be the foundation of how I move forward as well as understanding that it’s important to be true to myself every single day. As I look towards a potential new career in the drinks industry, building on my experiences over the last few years co-founding Garden Shed Drinks, I will take all these learnings with me. It has been one hell of a ride. Cheers (with a Garden Shed Gin in hand of course!) Jacko

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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.

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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.

Introducing the 6 rugby brothers you didn’t know about… including the other Wilkinson

Did you know that Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson both had brothers who played professional rugby?

While all of the focus, fame and attention can fall on certain members of the family, it is easy to forget that there can be other siblings plugging away in the game.

But who are some of these men? And where do or did they play?

Mark Wilkinson, brother of Jonny

He spent his three-year professional career between 2002 and 2005 at Newcastle Falcons, alongside his brother, Jonny, predominantly playing as a Centre.

Tom Cowan-Dickie, brother of Tom

A product of the Penzance & Newlyn RFC’s youth section, Tom initially developed his rugby through the club and at Mounts Bay School, as did his younger brother Luke. The 28-year-old, who also plays hooker, first joined the Cornish Pirates in 2010, and signed a new two-year deal in May 2020.

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