Obituary: Gordon Connell

Connell, Trinity Accies first and, thus far, only Scotland internationalist, won five caps for the national team between 1968 and 1970.

He marked his debut against England at Murrayfield in March 1968 with one of the most quick-witted drop-goals the stadium had ever witnessed.

Bill McMurtrie, writing in the Glasgow Herald, said: “Well-controlled rucking made the opportunity for Connell to kick the drop-goal in 33 minutes that gave Scotland a 6-0 lead.

“Connell, playing in his first international, had himself started the thrust that led to the score.

“[Flanker Rodger Arneil was almost over for a try]. The rest of the Scottish forwards drove over the ball and even though it then shot out through Connell’s legs, the scrum-half turned in an instant, picked up and chipped over a drop-goal as he was engulfed.”

Watching the action that day as a wide-eyed schoolchild was Scotland’s 1984 Grand Slam stand-off John Rutherford.

He recalled: “My first trip to Murrayfield was as a schoolboy in 1968. Scotland were playing England, and I was in awe of the crowd, the atmosphere and, of course, the stadium.

“I distinctly remember Gordon Connell, the Scotland scrum half dropping a goal right in front of my friends and I’m sure it must have crossed my mind that it would be fantastic to get the opportunity to play at Murrayfield.”

Connell, who was educated at Trinity Academy in Edinburgh and spent three years in the school first XV, enjoyed four years in club and district rugby before he made his Scotland debut.

At the end of the 1967-68 season, Brendan Sherry of Ireland was named as the reserve scrum-half for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa but when he had to stand down, Connell took his place.

Then when Gareth Edwards was ruled out with a hamstring injury towards the end of the tour and Roger Young broke a rib, Connell was flown out to join the Lions party.

He played in the last three matches, including a Test match.

Business took Connell south and he joined London Scottish.

He has a place in the history books as, when he was injured in the 1969 Scotland 6-3 win against France in Paris – being replaced by Ian McCrae of Gordonians – it was the first time a replacement had been permitted in the then Five Nations Championship.

Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Gordon Connell’s family and friends.  When we have any information regarding funeral arrangements, we will update our website.

We also wish to pay tribute to former Scotland age-grade team doctor Jon Turvill, who has passed away aged 71.

Jon was doctor for Scotland under-17 and then Scotland under-16 teams in a ten-year period from 2006 onwards and was a popular and well-kent figure among players, coaches and administrators.

His funeral will take place at Binning Memorial Wood, Tyninghame, near East Linton, East Lothian, EH40 3DU at 3pm tomorrow (Thursday 14 August).