USA Rugby has confirmed that longtime USA Men's 1s national team captain Blaine Scully has announced his retirement.

"Scully embodied the spirit and values of American rugby, starting his career in 2009 with the USA Men’s Sevens. Since then, he’s added 54 test matches, three Rugby World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019), seven tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and a bronze medal at the Pan American Games 2011," said the announcement.

“It’s a difficult thing to say that I will no longer be a professional or international rugby player,” said Scully. “What I loved so much about the game is how it challenged me in every imaginable way. Facing those challenges, not alone, but with a group; a team that you respect and trust, will be what I miss the most.

“The people have always been the best part of the journey. The opportunity to play rugby for a living and as a career was a gift.”

The USA was 14-9 with Scully as captain, and he scored eight tries in those 23 games. Under his leadership the Men’s Eagles scored first-ever wins over Scotland, Samoa, and Argentina XV, as well as two Americas Rugby Championship titles (2017, 2018), and the highest world ranking of No. 12 in 2018. Scully is also tied for the most appearances of any American at Rugby World Cup.

Scully attended UCLA and there switched from water polo to rugby. He had attended high school rugby power Jesuit in Sacramento, but, oddly, never played there. After switching to rugby he transferred to the University of California, where he helped the Bears to two USA Rugby national championships, and was an All American in 15s and 7s.

After earning his first international cap in XVs in 2011, Scully signed one of the first full-time contracts to join the initial USA Rugby/USOPC residency program at the Olympic Training Site in 2012. He began his overseas professional rugby career shortly after, signing with the Leicester Tigers of the English Premiership. In 2015, he transitioned to the Cardiff Blues where he won the 2018 European Challenge Cup before leaving at the end of the 2019 season.

Dedicated to the growth of rugby across all areas, Scully is co-founder of the United States Rugby Players Association which looks after the voice and wellbeing of athletes across all four USA national teams in 7s and XVs. Also a member of the International Rugby Players Global Council, the captain advocated for the global betterment of the sport and collaboration between its key stakeholders.

“Blaine has been a consummate professional,” said USA Men's 15s Head Coach Gary Gold. “His drive, leadership, passion and overall dedication to help the team have been infectious across players and staff. It goes without saying that Blaine will be truly missed and the mark he has left on the Men’s National Team will only support future generations. While we are sad to see him go, we are even more excited for this new chapter in his career and proud of the continued commitment he makes to the betterment of American rugby.”

"Blaine's contribution to the sport of rugby is significant,” said Tom Billups, Scully’s Coach at Cal and former Eagles coach. “He distinguished himself globally as a consummate professional through diligent preparation and big stage performances. He set high performance standards for himself and reached them. Standards for all future U.S. Internationals should strive for.”

"Today is a day for celebration,” said Jack Clark, Scully’s Head Coach at Cal, and another former Eagles Head Coach. “We celebrate Blaine’s playing career and his singular contribution to the sport of rugby. He represents the finest qualities of an athlete: a true leader, highly competitive, always prepared, loyal teamship and unwavering sportsmanship. We will always point to Blaine as an example to what Cal rugby aspires. I wish the best of success to Blaine, Shannon and baby Sadie in their next chapter.”
 

BLAINE SCULLY CAREER STATS

TEST MATCHES
Overall appearances | 54
Overall record | 23-30-1
Total tries | 15
Win percentage | 43.51

TESTS AS CAPTAIN (2016 AND AFTER)
Appearances | 23
Record | 14-9
Total tries | 8
Win percentage | 60.86