Tributes to ex-scotland centre Mckeating, who has died at 84
Ken Scotland has paid tribute to Eddie Mckeating, his great friend and former Scotland team-mate, who has died at the age of 84.
Mckeatingwonsixcapsfrom 1957 to 1961 and perhaps would have had many more had it not been for the vagaries of the selectors of that era.
A pacy centre and superb tackler,heplayedhisclubrugby forheriot’sfp,helpingtheedinburghclubwinthemelrosesev ens in 1957 and 1958.
“In many ways he was the ideal sevens player, with his pace and defensive qualities,” said Scotland,thecelebratedformer Scotlandandlionsinternational.“hisgamewasbasedonpace and a fantastic tackling style.”
The lifelong friendship between Mckeating and Scotlandwasforgedatgeorgeheriot’s School. The pair were close neighbours in the Goldenacre areaofthecity,nexttotheheriot’s playing fields.
“We started school on the same day in 1941 and left on the same day in 1955,” recalled Scotland. “We played togeth
er through all the school sides, year by year, and also played cricket together and competed against each other at athletics. We were tied at the hip!”
The pair even enjoyed a fairytale international debut together, combining to help defeat France 6-0 in the 1957 Five Nations Championship. It was Scotland’s only victory in Paris in the 1950s.
“Away wins have never been easyforscotland.that’snotjust something from the modern era,” said Scotland who recalls a bruising encounter in which the backs saw little of the ball. The visitors prevailed thanks to the full-back kicking a penalty and a drop goal, and the pair then helped the Scots beat Wales 9-6 at Murrayfield.
Despite his impressive performances and the results, Mckeating dropped out of the national side. He did not return until January 1961 when he played in Scotland’s 12-5 defeat by South Africa in front of 58,000 at Murrayfield. He played in that season’s Five Nations, helping Scotland beat Walesandireland,3-0and16-9, respectively, in Edinburgh. Mckeating won his final cap in Scotland’s last match of the Championship, a 6-0 defeat by England at Twickenham.
In his professional life he was a sales director for a packaging company. He was predeceased by his wife, Catherine.