Gordon Strachan

Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland back-row forward Gordon Strachan. He was 68. Strachan, a product of Ayr Academy and the Jordanhill club, won five caps for Scotland between 1971 and 1973.He made his debut as a second-half replacement for his injured fellow Ayrshire forward, Gordon Brown, in the Centenary match against England at Murrayfield in March 1971. That match saw Scotland record their second victory over England in the space of one week.He returned to international duty in 1973, featuring in the starting XV that defeated Wales, Ireland and an SRU President’s XV on home soil. He also started in the narrow 13-20 Calcutta Cup loss at Twickenham that year.He played 25 games for Glasgow – 13 in the district championship – including all three in the team who won the 1973-74 IDC. One of those games saw him captain Glasgow in the 33-16 win against Tonga at Hughenden in September 1974.Strachan was head of Physical Education at Kyle Academy in Ayr and when he retired from playing he enjoyed a stint coaching the Ayr club, piloting them to the old Scottish first division during the 1980s. Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to all Gordon’s family and friends.