Scott lines up a new rugby role Ex-biggar hero takes up post at St Andrews
Former Biggar Rugby Club star Scott Lawson has called a halt on a successful career to take up the post of director of rugby at University of St Andrews.
Lawson started his career at Hartreemill and is the first club player to be capped for Scotland.
He earned his first professional contract at Glasgow Warriors, secured a move to Premiership side Sale Sharks and Gloucester, ahead of a five-year stint at Newcastle Falcons.
During his career, Scott earned 47 caps for his country, including a try-scoring performance in the national team’s opening match of the 2007 World Cup against Portugal.
Scott was recalled to the Scotland squad for the 2018 Six Nations, aged 36, after a four-year hiatus.
He told Scottish Rugby: “Getting that recall at that stage in my career was a really nice way to finish.
“It’s the most recent memory and it’s one I’m very proud of.
“It definitely made the decision harder. To experience the atmosphere of being involved again in Six Nations matches at BT Murrayfield and all the emotion and pride that goes with it, made it even harder to turn my back on it and move on.
“But when you look at it realistically, I’ve had a 13-year international career and I’m up there with the oldest professional players to ever play for Scotland.
“I could have continued to play on, but it was the right decision to join a world-class establishment in Scotland.
“From a lad from Biggar and being the first from the club to be capped for Scotland, I’ve really enjoyed my journey, from the first cap to my last.”
Lawson isn’t quite ready to hang up his boots yet, as Newcastle Falcons have made the end-ofseason knock-out rounds for the first time, with reigning champions Exeter Chiefs lying in wait at Sandy Park on Saturday, May 19, with a potential final at Twickenham a week later.
He is also excited about his new role. Scott took up elite specialist skills coach roles with Scottish Rugby before being appointed director of rugby at National Two North club Tynedale, so is well prepared.
Father-of-four Lawson said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as director of rugby at such a prestigious university.
“It is great timing to start this new role but this has also been three or four seasons in the making.
“I studied towards a leadership and management degree while I was still playing, I’ve done my coaching qualifications.”