Jock Davidson

Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland No 8 Jock Davidson (pictured above).  He was 83 when he passed away on Friday 22 January.John Alexander Davidson, known as Jock, was born in the Moray Firth village of Avoch in 1932. He moved with his family to the Fife village of St Monans, his dad’s home, and was educated at Waid Academy in Anstruther.Jock first came to rugby prominence in the 1957-58 season when selected for the North of Scotland (North and Midlands) against Australia at Linksfield Stadium in Aberdeen.He won three caps for Scotland in 1959 and 1960, making his debut against England at Twickenham in a 3-3 draw in 1959.He followed up his debut by participating in Scotland’s first win in Dublin in 27 years, the 6-5 victory at Lansdowne Road in 1960, with his final cap occurring in a 12-21 loss to England at Murrayfield in March 1960. Jock played his club rugby for London Scottish and Edinburgh Wanderers.  He also played in Hong Kong during his national service in the RAF and when his work as an engineer took him to France he played for Racing Club Chalonnais in Chalon Sur Saone.Among his team-mates and good friends in Chalon was Michel Vannier, the 43-times capped French full-back.Jock went on to play for Racing Club in Paris.He was a popular figure at the Waid Academy FP club in Anstruther and was a regular supporter.His funeral will take place at St Monans Parish Church at 11am on Monday 15 February.Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to all Jock Davidson’s family and friends.