Chris Paterson has said that he is happy to be ending his international career after the high of representing his country at the Rugby World Cup.

Paterson, who is Scotland's most capped player, has announced that he is retiring from international rugby with immediate effect, though he will still continue to play for his club side, Edinburgh Rugby.

Reflecting on a record breaking career that saw him earn 109 caps and score 809 points, he said that he was proud of his achievements.

"I think it's the right time," Paterson told STV. "I made the decision about three weeks ago before announcing it today.

"Initially I thought the World Cup would be where I called oit quits but towards the end I still had that drive and that feel for it.

"Things went well on a personal level. If the Six Nations had been a month after then I would have kept going but I've had a lot of time to think and I just know it's the right time.

"I wanted to go out playing some of my best rugby and now is the time to go."

Paterson made his first international appearance at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, featuring against Spain. He went on to become the first ever Scot to play at four World Cups, having also appeared at the 2003, 2007 and 2011 tournaments.

The full-back, who also served as captain for his nation, became the first Scot to win 100 caps.

He suffered a split kidney on his 100th appearance against Wales in the 2010 Six Nations, ruling him out for five months.

Paterson though returned and became only the fifth player in the history of the Six Nations to amass more than 400 points in the 2011 tournament.