Hines hangs up international boots

Nathan Hines is retiring from international rugby after 11 years in the Test arena.

Australia-born Hines, 34, came to Scotland, the land of his maternal grandfather, for a six-month stay in 1998 but ended up winning 77 caps. During that time, Hines helped Scotland beat every major Test-playing nation, except for New Zealand, and also won selection for the 2009 British and Irish Lions. Scotland coach Andy Robinson described Hines as “one of Scotland’s toughest ever competitors and a fantastic role model for all young Scottish players.”

Hines, who was a Heineken Cup winner with Leinster and scored a try in their amazing 33-22 comeback against Northampton Saints at the Millennium Stadium last season, is now playing for Clermont Auvergne, who face Ulster in their Heineken Cup opener on Saturday.