John Barclay: Former Scotland captain announces retirement at 33
- Published
John Barclay gained 76 caps for his country across a 16-year career
Former Scotland rugby captain John Barclay has retired at the age of 33 after a "fairytale" career.
Barclay made 76 appearances for his country, as well as spending eight years at Glasgow Warriors before a five-year spell at Welsh side Scarlets.
He returned to Scotland in 2018, signing for Edinburgh before leaving the club earlier this summer.
"To do the thing I loved as a job for 16 years has provided me with enough memories to last a lifetime," he said.
The back-row competed in three World Cups - 2007, 2011 and 2019 - and captained Scotland to their first Calcutta Cup victory in a decade in 2018, beating England 25-13 at Murrayfield.
After his eight-year spell with the Warriors between 2005 and 2013, Barclay went on to win the Pro 14 title with Scarlets in 2017 before an injury-disrupted spell at Edinburgh.
"When you know, you know," Barclay said.
"To get capped was beyond my wildest dream as a child growing up. To be able to captain my country will be something I will be eternally proud of beyond anything else."