Colin whitE is raring to go to work as he begins a new chapter of his life in Italy.

The 29-year-old was close to being an ever-present in the Ayr line-up, mainly in the second-row, in 2012/13 as they won both the RBS Premiership and the RBS Cup, but he brought his two-year stint at the Millbrae club to an end on Saturday when he played his final match against Heriot's at Goldenacre before moving to Mestre to carry out Christian youth work.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two years with Ayr," said White. "It was a fabulous experience to win the double while I also met some good people at the club. I have been lucky enough to have been working with the Ayr Rugby Academy in those two years, helping the best young players within the club progress and that has also been a great experience.

"But I feel the time has come for a change and I am really looking forward to the new challenge in my life, working with young people in Mestre and increasing the local school's links with the church here."

White, who lists his career highlights as beating England Under-21s and playing for Scotland Sevens when they defeated South Africa at Murrayfield, spent time at the academies of both Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh, and played for Rugby Noceto, Rugby Badia Polesine and Venezia-Mestre in Italy.

He became a Christian while in the USA four years ago and went on to join the church where he will now be working during a playing spell with Venezia-Maestre in 2010/11.

"It is just a small church, but the local school have been very accommodating and it will be my role to engage with local youngsters and also aim to set-up youth clubs and camps as the year goes on," added White.

"It's fair to say it might not be what everyone assumed I would be up to, but it is something I am passionate about and am looking forward to being back in this part of the world."

White has not ruled out pulling on his boots while in Italy, but is more likely to coach local youth teams.

He had a scare at the weekend when he sustained a hand injury during the defeat by Heriot's. "In the opening 20 minutes someone stood on my hand and it was very painful," he said. "At first I thought it might be fractured and having a cast put on would have affected me being able to fly on Monday, but thankfully it was not as bad as first feared."

Peter Laverie, Ayr's head coach, said: "Colin has been a real stalwart of the side over the past few years and has been a significant part of our success. We wish him well."