The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ex-Scotland captain to quit Clermont
Greig Laidlaw has revealed he is excited by the next stage of his career after being linked with a move to Japan.
The former Scotland captain, who retired from international rugby in December, is out of contract with Clermont Auvergne this summer and has confirmed he is leaving the French club after three years.
The 34-year-old was a huge hit with the Japanese public at last year’s World Cup in the country, being dubbed ‘Mr Greig’, and he would prove a popular signing in the land of the rising sun.
The Borderer, who had been in talks to stay in France with Perpignan, has refused to confirm where he is heading next but has confessed he has “a few things lined up”.
Still in lockdown in France because of the coronavirus pandemic, Scotland’s second-top points scorer said: “With the way the current circumstances are it’s probably not the right time (to discuss my next move).
“I’ve got a few things going on in the background, which is exciting for me.
“I am leaving Clermont at the end of June, so currently I’m more concerned with getting my removal company down here!
“My contract finishes at the end of June, so hopefully things have calmed down a little bit by then and I can get the family out of here and the house packed up.
“But I’ve got a few things lined up and when the time’s right I’ll hopefully be able to share that with everybody.”
Meanwhile, Laidlaw has revealed he never even watched Scotland’s Six Nations opener against Ireland as he struggled to come to terms with his retirement.
The ex-Edinburgh and Gloucester scrum-half insists he does not regret his decision to step away from international rugby in December.
He added to the Official Scottish Rugby podcast: “Even though it was the right decision for me to call it a day when I did, and I’m happy I did that, it’s still a strange feeling.
“You still want to be involved in playing for your country.”