53-times capped Scotland winger Sean Maitland calls time on glittering career

Scotland wing Sean Maitland charges upfield during the Guinness Six Nations match against England at Twickenham on February 6, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Won three league title and European glory

Sean Maitland, the long-serving Saracens and Scotland winger, is to retire at the end of the season after a glittering career for club and country.

The 35-year-old won 53 Scotland caps and played at both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the former. The New Zealand-born player qualified through his Glaswegian grandparents who emigrated to New Zealand in the 1960s. He represented New Zealand at under-19 and under-20 level, as well as the Maori All Blacks, before making the move to the northern hemisphere.

Maitland joined Glasgow Warriors in 2012 and his Scotland debut came a year later, against England at Twickenham, where he scored a try in the 38-18 defeat. He was also called up by the British and Irish Lions for their victorious tour of Australia in 2013 .

After three years at Glasgow Warriors Maitland joined London Irish then, in 2016, moved to Saracens where he enjoyed a trophy-laden eight seasons, winning three Premiership titles, in 2018, 2019 and 2023. He was also in the Sarries team which won the European Champions Cup in 2019, scoring a try in the final against Leinster.