Tommy Seymour retires from international duty after 55 caps for Scotland
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 22: Tommy Seymour of Scotland takes on Jordan Larmour of Ireland during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group A game between Ireland and Scotland at International Stadium Yokohama on September 22, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Scotland wing Tommy Seymour has announced his retirement from international rugby after a six-year Test career.
Making his debut on Scotland’s tour of South Africa in June 2013, the Glasgow Warriors back returned a prolific strike rate of 20 tries in 55 appearances for his country.
The call by Seymour comes in the same month that former Scotland captain John Barclay also announced his retirement.
It means head coach Gregor Townsend‘s preparations for the 2020 Six Nations go without the experience of the 131 caps that Seymour and Barclay combined for.
“The pride from wearing the thistle on my chest is one of the most powerful feelings I’ve experienced,” Seymour, 31, said in a post on Twitter.
“Playing for Scotland has been the greatest honour,” he said. “It was in every way a dream come true and an amazing journey to share with friends, family and Scotland supporters.
“I have been fortunate enough to play with some of the greatest players this country has ever produced and even more fortunate that in some I have found friends for life.”
Seymour’s haul of tries for Scotland sees him slot in fourth in the country’s all-time leading scorers chart, four tries adrift of joint record-holders Ian Smith and Tony Stanger.
A feat Townsend feels Seymour can be proud of having been a teammate of Stanger.
“Tommy can reflect on an excellent international career,” Townsend said. “He has one of the best try-scoring rates for Scotland.
“To earn 55 caps in a six-year period is testament to not only his all-round rugby ability but also his consistency in the blue jersey.
“His game was very well suited to the demands of Test rugby, as he had a high work-rate, world-class aerial skills and a very good awareness of when to get on to ball.”
British & Irish Lion Seymour appeared in three of Scotland’s four pool games at the World Cup in Japan, where the Calcutta Cup holders failed to reach the knockout stages.
They kick off their Six Nations campaign away at Ireland on February 1.
