David sole on rugby

The third, and probably the most-widely anticipated, Scottish international retirement was announced midweek.

Greig Laidlaw decided to call time on his representative career after 76 caps.

His years in dark blue dated back to 2010 when the Borderer came off the bench to take part in the 49-3 loss to New Zealand at Murrayfield.

In that time, Laidlaw led Scotland more than anyone else, with 39 of his caps being won as captain.

And let’s not forget his 714 points for his country, second only to Chris Paterson on the all-time record list for Scotland.

There can be few who could match or exceed Laidlaw’s commitment, passion or pride in wearing the dark blue jersey of his country.

One always sensed that he had the backing of his players, even if he never appeared to be the most charismatic or eloquent of leaders.

But that is what you look for in a leader – respect from your peers – and there can be no doubt that Laidlaw had that.

He was a great reader of a game, and when Scotland were struggling to find a fly-half to take control, the scrum-half adapted and won several of his caps in his less-preferred position.

Such was his commitment, he would have played in the second row if asked.

Latterly. he came in for some criticism when – with Scotland wanting to play a dynamic, fluid game – Laidlaw’s hesitancy at the base of the breakdown seemed to slow things down horribly.

With Ali Price and George Horne waiting in the wings, the competition for the No. 9 shirt became intense. Yet when Scotland needed experience and cool heads, Laidlaw was the man that the coaches turned to.

The 34-year-old will be able to look back on an outstanding career with great pride and the love and admiration of the Scottish rugby public.

But he will doubtless rue the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup in 2015 as being his ‘game that got away’.

We all have at least one of them. Laidlaw now joins flanker John Barclay and wing Tommy Seymour on the outside looking in on Scotland’s Six Nations campaign in the new year.

Their successors have much to live up to.

‘ When Scotland needed experience and cool heads, Greig Laidlaw was the man the coaches turned to