Scotland star Dickinson calls it a day to coach

SCOTLAND prop Alasdair Dickinson has finally accepted the inevitable in retiring from playing the game as a result of repeated and protracted injury problems.

With his 35th birthday approaching and more than two years after he had played his last Test match, having established himself as Scotland’s first choice loosehead at that point, a major shoulder injury sparked his troubles, minimising his on-field involvement with Edinburgh over the past two seasons.

In the course of his career Dickinson featured in three World Cup campaigns, in 2007 in France where he made his Test debut against the All Blacks, in New Zealand in 2011 and in England in 2015, where he had already spent much of his club career, playing for Gloucester and Sale Sharks between 2007 and 2013.

“It’s obviously been a tough decision but when you’re getting a bit older, your body makes the decision for you,” he admitted yesterday.

“For me, my body just couldn’t keep up with the demands of the professional game and I believe it’s now a good time to call it a day.”

Dickinson’s knowhow will be put to use as he takes on a coaching role with the Fosroc Scottish Rugby Academy, specialising in the scrum and contact area.

“I’ve been really fortunate to have been offered this role to help develop the youngsters,” he said, having started his own professional career as an apprentice with Edinburgh 14 years ago.

“It’ll certainly challenge me as being a player is completely different from being a coach.”