Scott Hastings

Published on Thursday 2 May 2002 01:00

The irrepressible Scott Hastings is Scotland’s most-capped player with 65 appearances, between his first game against France in 1986 – which also saw the debuts of two other Scottish Greats, brother Gavin and Grand Slam-winning captain David Sole – and his final appearance as a reserve against England in 1997.

A hard-tackling centre, Hastings perhaps had more in common with the Southern Hemisphere defence-as-attack philosophy than the traditional Scottish link man. Bulky in build, he was a powerful runner and an intimidating tackler, who also showed an intelligent positional sense, especially in defence where he was practically unbeatable. With his regular centre partner, Kilted Kiwi Sean Lineen, Hastings played a pivotal role in Scotland’s Grand Slam triumph of 1990.

Twice a British Lion, Hastings partnered Jeremy Guscott in both the Test match victories against Australia in 1989 – the first Lions side to win a series since 1974. He was also selected for the 1993 tour of New Zealand but had the misfortune to shatter a cheekbone against Otago and never had the chance to face the All Blacks with the Lions. Hastings also played in the first three World Cups, enhancing his reputation as a world-class centre on each occasion.

It was a mark of Hastings’ reading of the game - and uncompromising tackling - that even when he had clearly lost pace through age he would still be selected ahead of younger, faster men.