John Beattie eager to emulate father's proud record in the Calcutta Cup

Published on Thursday 11 March 2010 22:04

THE BEATTIE name is synonymous with great Calcutta Cup moments ever since John's roles in Scotland's record wins at Twickenham and Murrayfield in the 1980s.

But now, two decades and more on, his son Johnnie – he likes the extended moniker to ensure some distance from his old man – is preparing for what will be his first taste of the famous international fixture as a player. The pair indulge in humorous banter about not caring what the other does, Beattie the elder insisting he has no idea about the game his son plays and the younger stating he doesn't recognise the game his old man played as the same one he does, that is if he ever saw it.

Many who head to Murrayfield tomorrow, however, will recall with ease the day when Scotland ended a long wait for victory at Twickenham in 1983, a game that was an important part of the build-up to the Grand Slam the following year, while the 1986 triumph at Murrayfield might not have brought honours – due to a 22-15 loss in Wales – but the memory does not fade of Matt Duncan scoring, John Rutherford finishing a move involving a lobbed pass from Beattie and Scott Hastings racing to a third try in a 33-6 victory. It remains vivid to Beattie senior. "That 1983 game was pretty special because we hadn't beaten England down there since 1971, and I've often said to Johnnie that it would be a dream for me to see the current team repeat that because that remains our last win there. That win was about using Roy Laidlaw's pace off the scrum against bigger heavier back row.

"In 1986 it was using ball codes at the lineout to constantly accelerate the game because we knew the English team wouldn't be as fit. When they kicked the ball out Colin Deans would run and get it quickly and there would be no call for the lineout throw, just a signal from the way he was holding the ball. Everything happened more quickly than they were used to and after half-an-hour we knew we were in control.

"That game was special for me because there is a bit in Bill McLaren's commentary where he says, 'What a game John Beattie is having' and that will stick with me for the rest of my life. People talk about luck in those wins, but that was the start of players like the Hastings coming through, Matt Duncan, Fin Calder and JJ, different players."

Beattie the younger, who yesterday confirmed a new two-year contract with Glasgow, laughs when asked for his recollection of his father's exploits. "You hear it all the time. We have a big picture on the kitchen wall of him playing in 1983 – you can't escape it," he jokes, shaking his head.

"No we don't! There is a picture somewhere under the stairs I think. He likes to tell me about 1983 – two years before I was born – when they won by a record score at Twickenham. I've heard that one a few times and I might have seen a clip, but we've never sat and watched the game. ESPN haven't played it on the classics yet.

"My first memory is of Jon Callard (England full-back] knocking over a penalty with something like 30 seconds to go, in whatever year that was (1994] to win 15-14. I'd have been nine then, but that nearly destroyed me.

"My fondest memory is of coming to watch in 2006 and seeing a massive defensive performance, guys like Kelly Brown and Fergus Thomson playing, Parksy knocking over drop-goals and the massive sense of elation it gave the crowd. It was a great feeling, great game to watch and be part of from a supporter's point of view.

"I was there with my girlfriend and mates from uni, and the night that everybody had – I think I was training the next day – but the night they all had was legendary. It was one of the best nights they had at university. And it wasn't just us – it gave that feeling to everyone across the country.

"It was always a favourite of my dad's and it is something I've always aspired to. He has won the Calcutta Cup, and if I ever get the chance to go down there and play at Twickenham it would be amazing as well, but right now we have a chance to go out there in front of our own support at Murrayfield and get some points in this competition and that's massive for us, and for the Scottish rugby public as well. We're just desperate to show what we can do and prove that we can win these games."

Beattie senior was at the centre of Scotland's recent wins, commentating for the BBC on both the 2006 and 2008 successes, and while he will be presenting BBC Scotland's radio coverage tomorrow he has another, new role for the Calcutta Cup – that of parent. "And that's maybe the scariest," he said. "I've not been sleeping well and neither's Jill (his wife]. It will be the same for every parent, with a child involved in a big event of any kind – the stresses it brings.

"When you have a little boy growing up playing mini rugby, you don't think he will one day play for his country. I can't give him advice; he knows more than I do about the game. All you hope as a parent is everyone plays well and everybody is safe; Jonny Wilkinson's dad will be the same.

"The majority of the population is hoping for a win, but that's probably the second priority for us parents – the first is that they come out of it okay and having played well. And then if they lose we all have a pretty bad Saturday night, and if they win we go out on the town.

"But," he adds quickly, turning again to the bigger picture of the fixture, "this is a special game for us all.

"England actually have more registered referees – about 38,000 – than we have players so logic says there is no reason why we should beat them. But that's why it's special. I don't think it's political, just the underdog thing.

"England are a world power in rugby just as Brazil are in football, and us beating them is similar to Scotland beating Brazil."

Beattie will be on stage himself tomorrow night at the Jam House in Edinburgh in his now-traditional Calcutta Cup night performance with his band of various performers, often including Scottish players, and around 6.30am on Sunday, the Borneo-born entertainer will be boarding the first of several flights en route to Penang and a school reunion.

By then his son will be hoping to be nursing his aches and pains with his own fresh memories of the day he matched his father in lifting the Calcutta Cup.

"I laugh about not watching my dad's games, but they are special. And those wins and the recent ones is what we've got to look to emulate this weekend."

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