Scots international Stevenson dies aged 79

Published on 26/10/2012 00:44

ONE of Hawick’s favourite internationalists, George Stevenson, has died, aged 79.

The former Hawick PSA, Linden and Greens centre, who played for the Borders club from 1951 to 1967, won 24 caps and marked his Test debut against England at Murrayfield in 1956 with a try. He also scored in wins over France and Australia in his third and fifth caps and touched down the only try in the Scottish Districts win over South Africa at Mansfield Park in the 1960s.

At 6ft 2ins, ‘Stevie’ was a big back of the time, which only added to his stature in the game. A quiet, reluctant hero, he was a favourite of the late ‘Voice of Rugby’ Bill McLaren and close friend of Hawick and Scotland prop Hughie McLeod. He said: “Stevie was raw-boned and tough. He was always a match-winner. He was a like car: he had gears and he would move into top gear when he thought it was necessary. He was never happy touching the ball down in the corner. He would always want to touch down under the posts. He was such a character.”

Recalling Stevenson’s late call-up for the 1959 Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham, where Stevenson’s opposite number was England skipper Jeff Butterfield, McLeod added: “I remember telling Stevie about how powerful and special a player Butterfield was, but his response was ‘dinnae you worry’.” Scotland drew the game 3-3.

Hawick RFC will hold a minute’s silence before their home RBS National League game against Stewart’s Melville FP on Saturday.