Following in illustrious footsteps

Gavin Hastings

Rock of a man at the back, commanding under the high ball and always made a huge dent when joining the line. When Scotland had to take on Samoa and New Zealand in the physicality stakes at the 1991 World Cup they sent big Gav in as the first receiver to smash into the opposition forwards. Prolific goal kicker prone to occasional misses he was nonetheless Scotland’s record points scorer with 667 until overtaken by Chris Paterson in 2008. A Lion in 1989 and again in 1993 when he captained the squad in New Zealand.

Peter Dods

Often overlooked when the great and good are being lauded, but the self-effacing Dods was a quietly efficient and business-like fullback who got the job done with the minimum of fuss ... and a nerveless goal-kicker. Landed 11 points during Scotland’s last win over England at Twickenham in 1983 and in 1984 was one of the key men in Scotland’s march to the Grand Slam, contributing 50 points in the four games. The arrival of Hastings impacted on his Test career but he still finished with 210 points from 23 games.

Andy Irvine

Wonderful attacking player always looking to counterattack in the manner of a Serge Blanco. Blessed with real gas – he played some of his Lions rugby on the wing – he ran with the ball in two hands which kept the opposition guessing and had a swerve to test the best. Scored ten tries in 51 Tests for Scotland and the creator of many more. Not always the front-line kicker but invariably took the long range shots. Finished with 273 points in total for Scotland. Three Lions tours, nine caps, Manager this summer in New Zealand.

Ken Scotland

A teenage fly-half prodigy, Scotland was tried out at full-back in the final trial at the age of 19 and did so well he was virtually an ever present in the team from 1957 to 1963. A creator rather than a strike runner, in fact he didn’t score a try for Scotland in 27 Tests, he was rated by his opposite number in the Ireland team Tom

Kiernan as the best player of his era and certainly the best passer. Toured with the 1959 Lions in Australia and New Zealand and was one of the New Zealand Almanac’s five players of the year.

Dan Drysdale

One of the giants of the mid-Twenties when Scotland were really putting some stick about. Drysdale was part of the Grand Slam winning team of 1925, won four Championships, four Calcutta Cups and toured South Africa with the 1924 Lions where he played all four Tests. By all accounts he was an early version of Gavin Hastings. Strong under the high ball, clearing kick of a mule while it usually took three men to stop him. Captained the side on 11 occasions with eight wins. Occasional goal kicker who scored 45 points in 26 Scotland Tests.

Henry Stevenson

An Edinburgh Accie and one of Scotland’s stars in the late 19th-century, known for his prodigious punting and his counter attacking which was considered odd for the time. Won 15 caps and starred in the Scotland side that shared the 1890 Championship and that won it outright with a Triple Crown in 1891. An eccentric, he was a Scotland cricket international as an underarm bowler.