Fabulous Four inducted into Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame

The induction took place at BT Murrayfield tonight after the opening Autumn Test match against Samoa.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2010 to celebrate the towering contribution made by Scots to the oval ball game over more than 140 years.

Twelve prominent personalities were inducted in the inaugural year and ten more were inducted in 2013.

Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame Panel Chairman, John Jeffrey, said: “The Panel deliberated some of the recent changes to the rugby landscape and wanted to acknowledge the breadth of rugby activity in which Scots have been at the forefront.

“At the same time, we wanted to remain true to our original principals – namely that anyone nominated would bring outstanding playing, coaching, refereeing or support credentials on a global stage to the Hall of Fame and be worthy of the accolade as Scottish Rugby’s ultimate ambassadors.”

The 2017 inductions are:

DOUGLAS ELLIOT (Edinburgh Accies)

A back-row forward capped 29 times between 1947 and 1954, Douglas Elliot played through one of the darkest periods in Scottish Rugby history and yet his reputation as a phenomenally strong player was global.

He captained Scotland on seven occasions, including his quite awe-inspiring leadership that saw a Welsh team brim full of British Lions usurped 19-0 in 1951.

His work as a farmer, and his loyalty to the family farm in the Borders, meant he never toured on the then six-month sojourns with the British and Irish Lions.

He passed away in 2005 and the outpouring of grief from throughout the rugby world was testimony to his talent.

DONNA KENNEDY (Scotland Women)

Donna Kennedy is still the most capped rugby Scot of all time, winning 115 caps for her country in an international career which spanned 17 years and started with Scotland Women’s first ever international against their Irish counterparts in 1993.

Her international journey saw her win a Grand Slam and gain recognition from World Rugby as a Player of the Year.

A hard No 8 from the Biggar club in Lanarkshire, playing retirement was not the end of the story, as coaching in the higher levels of the club game beckoned.

She also gave her name to a cup contested by Scotland’s leading women players.

MARK ROBERTSON (MELROSE)

Mark Robertson retired from the seven-a-side game last May and what a way to bow out! He was part of a Scotland Sevens squad that defeated New Zealand for the first time and, then, five hours later, beat England at Twickenham to win the London Sevens title on the World Series circuit for the second successive year.

During last season’s World Series, Robertson scored 22 tries, taking his career tally for Scotland 7s above the 100 mark.

He also was a key member of team GB, who on rugby’s return to the Olympics in Rio in 2016, won a silver medal.

During his career, Mark also won Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland A honours. He is now part of the Scotland management team as a strength and conditioning coach and he follows in the footsteps of the creator of sevens, Ned Haig, also of Melrose, by being inducted to the Hall of Fame.

JAMES ROBSON (DOCTOR)

Dr James Robson has given unstinting service to rugby from the club game in Dundee to duty at more than 200 Test matches for Scotland and British and Irish Lions.

Originally a physiotherapist, Dr Robson, Scottish Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer, is one of the longest-serving medics in the game, with six Rugby World Cups and six British & Irish Lions tours to his credit.

He brings to life rugby’s stated aim that the health and welfare of players is paramount.

In addition to his care for elite players, his duties as Chief Medical Officer extend to looking after club players and supporting Scottish Rugby staff.

Scottish Rugby President Rob Flockhart said: “I am delighted that our latest Hall of Fame inductees represent the wide gamut of our game.

“Rugby is an inclusive sport, reliant on people from all parts of our community to thrive. Our Hall of Fame inductees embody this.”