Chris Cusiter has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect.

The Sale Sharks scrum-half, who made 70 appearances for Scotland, has called time on his career to begin a Scotch whisky business in Los Angeles.

"This is the right time to hang up my boots and move onto the next challenge," the 33-year-old told the club's official website.

"The memories of playing for Scotland and touring New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions will be with me forever, and I am grateful for all the incredible experiences I have been afforded through rugby.

"I've been fascinated by the Scotch whisky industry for the past few years and firmly believe that it is Scotland's finest and greatest export and something to be very proud of."

Cusiter was a member of the Scotland squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Cup.