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Former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie has retired
Former Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie has announced his retirement from rugby. The 34-year-old ex-Glasgow Warriors, Montpellier and Castres forward finished his career with a three-year stint at French club Bayonne.
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Beattie, who began his career with Glasgow in 2004 before earning 38 caps for Scotland, wrote on Instagram. “That inevitable moment in every sportsperson’s career has arrived,” he posted.
“After 16 years of rugby life in Scotland and France, the time is right to retire from playing the sport I love professionally. Professional rugby has allowed me to meet and work with some incredible people, from all over the world.
“The inspirational places, people, experiences, tournaments, supporters, anthems and matches were all a privilege to be part of, and I realise I have been very fortunate to live out my dreams practising and playing my sport.”
Beattie’s Scotland debut came in 2006 against Romania. He left for France in 2012 and had two seasons with Montpellier, and a further two with Castres before he signed for Bayonne in 2016.
View this post on InstagramThat inevitable moment in every sportsperson’s career has arrived. After sixteen years of rugby life in Scotland and France, the time is right to retire from playing the sport I love professionally. ‘Le petit mort’ as they say in France. Rugby introduced me to some of my best mates when I was five years old, as we discovered the sport together. Professional rugby has allowed me to meet and work with some incredible people, from all over the world. The inspirational places, people, experiences, tournaments, supporters, anthems and matches were all a privilege to be part of, and I realise I have been very fortunate to live out my dreams practicing and playing my sport. I look forward to applying cultural lessons learned in leadership, teamwork, respect and enjoyment as I move into new adventures. Thank you to Scottish Rugby, and the Barbarians for fulfilling my wildest childhood fantasies. Moreover to Bayonne, Castres, Montpellier and Glasgow for giving me the chance to wear your colours and represent your beautiful cities. Rhys Parsons and Pete Harmsworth for helping shape the journey. I want to thank everyone who has supported me. From volunteers who ran mini rugby at Glasgow Accies for unruly and overly aggressive five year olds, through to every team mate, management team and supporter that I have crossed paths with. Thank you to my parents for providing me with every opportunity, and taxiing me to every sporting event that Glasgow could offer a youngster. Lastly and most importantly to Jen and our beautiful children. We have shared some magical moments abroad that will last a lifetime. Starting our family in France will forever be my proudest achievement. Thank you for all of your love and support as I pursued my rugby dreams. Johnnie X @scotlandteam @barbarians_fc @avironrugbypro @castresolympique @mhr_officiel @glasgowwarriors @glasgowaccies @esportif @esportif_france
He said: “I look forward to applying cultural lessons learned in leadership, teamwork, respect and enjoyment as I move into new adventures.”
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– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
Don’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
41 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
41 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
41 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
39 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
1 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
41 Go to comments