Former Edinburgh Rugby captain Mike Blair is to leave the team at the end of the season.

Scotland’s most-capped scrum half departs the side after ten years playing in his home city.

Since joining the professional outfit in 2002, Blair racked up 158 competitive appearances, with Saturday’s momentous victory over Toulouse in the Heineken Cup, his 50^th in the competition.

Talking about his decision, Blair said it was an honour to represent the team from the city where he was born and raised.

Blair said: “It’s been an honour to represent the club which, over the years, has helped me fulfil my ambitions of becoming a regular for my country and earning selection for the Lions.

“I’ve enjoyed myself so much here and feel I've achieved a lot, which has made this a very hard decision to make, but the time is right for me personally to throw myself at a whole new challenge.
 
“Rugby offers many opportunities and experiences and, while I believe that this may be one of the most exciting times to be an Edinburgh Rugby player, I don’t want to regret not trying something different when I finally hang up my boots.
 
“I'd like to thank all of the supporters who have been great to me since I first joined.”

While Blair’s next move in unclear, he said he wants to bow out of Murrayfield on a high, and added that he remains committed to adding to his haul of 80 international caps.

A former pupil of Edinburgh Academy, Blair began his rise to the top of the game with Edinburgh Accies, before joining Boroughmuir and then Edinburgh Rugby,

He made his Scotland debut against Canada in 2002 and went on to become a mainstay for the national team. He was also selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2009.

Michael Bradley, head coach of Edinburgh Rugby, said that his commitment to the club was an example to follow for young players.

Bradley said: "He's one of the most naturally gifted scrum-halves of this era with a fantastic eye for a break. He is a top-class controller of the game.

“He’s been an incredible servant to Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland for a decade and we wish him all the best in the seasons ahead."