Allan Jacobsen opted to quit international rugby because it began to feel like a chore, the popular prop has admitted.
As revealed in The Courier on Monday, ”Chunk” made the decision to end his decade-long Scotland career last week when he left the international squad just days after winning his 65th and final cap against New Zealand at Murrayfield.
The 34-year-old confirmed his decision later on Monday and pledged his full commitment towards his club Edinburgh, where he has been a fixture since 1997 and for which he has played over 250 times.
”To play international rugby you have to be absolutely committed,” he said. ”You have to make sacrifices and do all the extra stuff in training and preparation to be right.
”I’ve always tried to do that throughout my career and playing for Scotland has meant the world to me. But the minute there is even the possibility of it feeling like a chore”well, that’s the slippery slope for me and I would never want to do anything that would either devalue the Scotland jersey or anything that I’ve achieved.”
He added: ”My focus now will be on doing everything I can to bring success to Edinburgh. My desire to play for the club remains really strong.”
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson paid fulsome tribute to a player he picked both as coach of Edinburgh and the international team.
”Chunk has been a great servant of the Scotland team and on behalf of the team management I want to thank him for all his endeavours,” he said.
”I particularly admire how hard he worked to fight back from injury after the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the effort he put in to be our starting prop in all four games at last year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
”Chunk has often said that rugby has been good for him and his family and now that he wants to make his wife Gayle and daughter Maisie a bigger priority, then I’m sure all rugby people will support him at this time and in the future.”
SRU president Alan Lawson said: ”Chunk is one of the most popular characters in the game in Scotland. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and supporters have always been able to identify readily with him.
”He first played Test match rugby for Scotland against Canada in 2002 and he became Scotland’s most capped prop, surpassing the record of Tom Smith, against Wales earlier this year.
”On behalf of all Scotland supporters I thank Allan for his dedication and bravery in a Scotland jersey and wish him all the best as he continues to serve Edinburgh as a loyal club man.”
Edinburgh Rugby head coach Michael Bradley said: ”We fully respect and empathise with Chunk’s decision to retire from international rugby. Having spoken with him it’s absolutely clear that he is 100% committed to the Edinburgh Rugby cause.
”He is a fans’ favourite and everyone involved in the club looks forward to seeing him back in the black and red of Edinburgh Rugby, starting with his involvement this Friday against Ospreys at Murrayfield.”