Hamish Dawson

Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland forward Hamish Dawson. He was 81. James (Hamish) Cooper Dawson won 20 caps, his first three at lock, the subsequent 17 at prop. He made his debut against Australia at Murrayfield in 1947, one of eight new Scotland caps that day, and went on to play in Scotland’s next two internationals, against France and Wales.Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland forward Hamish Dawson. He was 81. James (Hamish) Cooper Dawson won 20 caps, his first three at lock, the subsequent 17 at prop. He made his debut against Australia at Murrayfield in 1947, one of eight new Scotland caps that day, and went on to play in Scotland’s next two internationals, against France and Wales. He returned to the national team in the 8-0 win against France away in January 1949, starting a run of 16 out of the next 17 internationals, all at prop. He played his last Scotland international against England at Twickenham in 1953. Described in contemporary accounts as “combining youth and physique well above average”, Dawson scored one try for Scotland, in the famous 19-0 win against Wales at Murrayfield in 1951. A talented all-round sportsman at swimming, cricket and rugby, Dawson was educated at Glasgow Academy, Strathallan School and Queen’s College Oxford University. He played his club rugby for Glasgow Academicals, Oxford University (winning a wartime blue in 1943), London Scottish and the Barbarians. He joined the Royal Navy in 1943 and saw war service on destroyers and minesweepers. He qualified as a CA in 1948 and rose through the ranks of Ritchies Paper Products Limited becoming managing director in 1968. Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Hamish Dawson’s family and friends.