John Ellis

Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of John Ellis, the former Heriot’s scrum-half, who toured Argentina with Scotland in 1969. He was 70.Ellis, who studied PE at Jordanhill College and was a contemporary of former Scotland captain Ian McLauchlan, was selected for the tour as a utility back. Contemporary reports suggested he played in two of the six matches on the tour, one at full-back, the other in his preferred position of scrum-half, but was not chosen for either of the non-cap Test matches, Gala’s Duncan Paterson wearing the number nine jersey.PE TeacherHe became principal teacher of PE at the Royal High School in Edinburgh in 1979, a renowned rugby school, and was a very popular and well-loved member of staff , both by pupils and colleagues alike, and he was always at school events, whether sporting or music/drama.He coached the first year rugby team each year and a number of the boys (and latterly girls) who played at Royal High were complete beginners. Yet many of these novices turned into decent school and club players, thanks in no small way to Ellis’s early intervention and commitment to encouraging participation.He resigned from his post in 2000 but continued his links with the school working in the Pupil Support Base and also working as the School Sports Development Co-ordinator. In recent years John worked with UK Anti-Doping as part of their drug testing team and, until illness took hold, enjoyed his golf.He died last Wednesday at home in Gullane.A celebration of his life will take place at Warriston Crematorium in Edinburgh tomorrow (Wednesday 10 February) at 2pm.Scottish Rugby extends its sincere sympathies to all John Ellis’s family and friends.