Stitched into memory

Following the release of Scottish Rugby’s ‘The Archive Collection: Classics reimagined’ and Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warrior’s European jerseys, we discuss with legends of the past and present their memories.

Shop the collection here, exclusively online. 

Louise Dalgliesh, Scotland Women cap 92 said: “I always remember the kits that we played in for World Cups or the one that we wore when we beat France in 2010, it takes you back to the results, the teammates and the stories of the match.

“That kind of nostalgic feel goes right through rugby. I was speaking to Jason White and Chris Paterson whilst filming the launch video for The Archive Collection and we were referencing one shirt and that then takes you to the match, the stadium, the players, the result. The connections across rugby are always there, through the memories.”

For Jilly McCord, Scotland Women Cap 99, the memories are in the grounds as well as the kit. At the launch of The Archive Collection, she said: “I remember coming to Inverleith Playing Fields in 1998 (now the home of Stewart’s Melville RFC) to watch Scotland Women win the Grand Slam. They were wearing a navy kit with white collar, similar to these but heavier. I was playing rugby and had come down to watch us beat England. It was an amazing day. I also remember watching Gregor Townsend in the “Toonie Flip” era in the navy strip and then later the one with the white stripe down the sleeve.

Of the three jersey’s reimagined in The Archive Collection, the memories of a whole era of Scotland players will be remembered by fans across the Nation. Scotland Men cap 913, Duncan Hodge, who famously wore one of these shirts when scoring all 19 points to upset England’s Grand Slam hopes in 2000, commented: “I recently dug out my old jerseys to show the kids. We took a photo of them all and posted them on my Instagram. The comments from people talking about the shirts themselves and the love for them was brilliant.

“For me, the strongest memories of kit were the ones that we wore in 2000 and in the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Putting this jersey back on today is like everything in life, it goes full circle. It’s a nice way to bring these games back to the front of my mind.

“My kids were like magpies seeing my old kits and it disappeared into their own wardrobes. It just shows you that this era of kits is liked and wants to be worn, by all generations.”

Jason White, Scotland Men cap 943, reflected on those first jerseys of his international career: “The kit I have on right now is probably around 2001, which was, for me, probably between caps five and 10. I was just starting out in my international career, which was an amazing time.

“The jerseys were so special. They came embroidered with the team that you played against, and then it progressed to having your name written on the bottom and then later we got our cap numbers on it.

“As a young man, coming up and dreaming of playing for Scotland to then get my jersey, it was so special.”

It isn’t just about the international kits, Rhona Lloyd, Scotland Women cap 192, fondly remembered her first club shirt: “The first kit I remember having was a black Edinburgh Rugby jersey and going along to watch them play at Murrayfield. The crowds were a lot smaller back then than they are now and the kit fits differently.

“It’s really cool see this kit brought back to life and remind you of that time when you fell in love with, not just rugby, but also the dream of playing for Scotland one day.”

Scotland’s all-time leading points scorer and cap 940 for the Men’s team, Chris Paterson, added: “I didn’t realise at the time that the kit we played in would one day be classed as vintage!

“It felt great to play in then and it looks as good now.”

Shop the collection here, exclusively online.