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Scotland prop Dickinson retires to take up academy coaching role

Alasdair Dickinson is the new scrum coach at Bristol Bears.
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Scotland prop Alasdair Dickinson has announced his retirement from rugby union.

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The 34-year-old went to three World Cups and won 58 caps for his country, last playing in 2016, while he enjoyed two spells with Edinburgh Rugby at club level and also featured in the Premiership for Gloucester and Sale Sharks.

Dickinson has called time on his playing career to take up a coaching role with the Scottish Rugby Academy.

“It’s obviously been a tough decision but, when you’re getting a bit older, your body makes the decision for you,” he said.

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Phantom 33 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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