Jim Carswell, now aged 76, played in the Scotland pack that defeated Japan 34-9 in September 1976.

A product of Paisley Grammarians, Jordanhill and Glasgow, Carswell is now resident in a care home in Cheltenham.

He was unable to travel to capping ceremonies we held at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, so Scottish Rugby took the cap to him.

The presentation at Wentworth Court, was conducted by his former club captain at Jordanhill, Richie Dixon.

Dixon, erstwhile Scotland coach, who himself will receive a retrospective cap next Friday, said: “Jim played in a club side with some of the great names in Scottish Rugby folklore: Ian Mighty Mouse McLauchlan; Lewis Dick on the wing; and Gordon Strachan in the back-row.

“He was a gentle man off the field but very much a warrior on it.  He acquitted himself very well in the international game for which he is being awarded his cap.”

Carswell is one of 75 players who are being awarded retrospective caps as part of a project from Scottish Rugby’s Custodian Board.

The players featured in matches staged between 1942 and 1998.

The next part of the retrospective capping project will involve the Scotland Women’s team; and thereafter Scottish referees who controlled men’s and women’s international matches.

Pictured: Jim in receipt of his Scotland cap, presented to him by former teammate Richie Dixon.