MY LIFE IN RUGBY
THE FORMER SELKIRK, SCOTLAND AND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS FLY-HALF
When I made my Scotland debut in 1979 it was a big thing for Selkirk because the town hadn’t had a player capped since Ronnie Cowan in the Sixties. The Sunday before we played Wales, the church I attended had prayers for me. We lost the match but I’m pleased to say I did okay.
Selkirk was my only club. I had plenty of offers including an opportunity to play in Biarritz in the Eighties. At that time, it would have been huge for anyone because we were all amateurs and had alternative careers. I was very tempted but it was difficult for me because it meant leaving my hometown club. Dad was on the committee; mum was the tea lady; and both my brothers played there.
Playing rugby in the Seventies and Eighties was great from a social point of view. Even with Scotland you’d have a few beers when everyone met up for the first time before an international on the Thursday night. You did no analysis on the opposition, you just ran out and got on with it.
I was fortunate that I played the majority of my 42 Scotland caps alongside Roy Laidlaw. We knew each other’s game inside and out, and there is no doubt that that got us out of a few close shaves. I hoped to finish my international career at the same time as Roy but he lasted a season longer after I ruptured my cruciate ligament in Scotland’s first World Cup game: a 20-20 draw with France.
I never played again, but when I look back now I only have fond memories of my playing days. Pulling on the blue jersey was such a tremendous privilege and I got to play in some memorable Calcutta Cup matches.
Contrary to what a lot of people think, we got on very well with the English boys who were all great lads. Of course, there was a lot of rivalry between the teams, but there was with all the nations. The main thing we had going for us in 1983 (the last time Scotland won at Twickenham) was naivety.
The first time I played down there we drew, the next time we were leading only to mess up late on – that one was my fault – and the year before we drew with them at Murrayfield. England held no fear for us, there was no psychological barrier about playing at Twickenham – we went down there expecting to win and that’s what we did. I’d love the current Scotland team to break the record, but with England improving all the time under Eddie Jones that is going to be tough.
That summer I was one of eight Scots to tour New Zealand with the Lions, it is incredible to think that it was 34 years ago. We only took 30 players in those days so you were always involved and I remember playing in five consecutive games.
Jim Telfer felt pretty beaten up by the 4-0 series defeat and threatened to pack in coaching Scotland, but on the flight home we persuaded him to carry on for at least one more year because we felt we were on the verge of achieving something special – the Grand Slam in ’84, as it turned out.
The tour had instilled us Scots with a lot of confidence. Having seen the English, Welsh and Irish up close, we came back thinking: “Hey, we’re not bad.”
While the Grand Slam was a great achievement, I think the best day of my rugby career came as Scotlands backs coach in ’99. To outscore France five tries to three in Paris – all scored within 20-minutes – was some result.
I then packed in coaching to concentrate on my business interests but continued in rugby as Selkirk chairman and president. After 15 years of continuous service I’ve taken a year off and bought myself a Hibs season ticket.