Obituary: Richard Cramb

SEASON 1985/1986 Richard Cramb

Richard passed away after a long and courageous fight against cancer yesterday, Monday 22 December 2025.

Born in Falkirk on 7 September 1963, Richard Ian Cramb gave a lifetime of service to rugby both on and off the field.

A gifted footballer, unassuming, but fiercely determined, Cramb won promotion from two appearances for Scotland B to gain his first cap in the 1987 inaugural Rugby World Cup. He earned his honours in the  victory against Romania in Dunedin.

In total, he won four caps for Scotland between 1987 and 1988, landing a drop-goal in the 23-12 Five Nations Championship success against France at Murrayfield in February 1988.

Cramb also toured Zimbabwe with Scotland later that summer.

This year he was inducted to the London Scottish Hall of Fame, and it would be fair to say he had a similarly positive and uplifting impact throughout a distinguished career at several clubs.

His London Scottish, and Scotland international, teammate Gavin Hastings paid tribute to Richard: “Cramby was a very understated player and a true team man. Unquestionably, one of Rugby’s Mr Nice Guys. RIP Cramby.”

He represented Durham City, Harlequins, Aspen (USA), London Scottish, Wellington College Old Boys in New Zealand, Newcastle Gosforth and Tynedale.

Also playing tribute to Richard was Scotland and Harlequins teammate Iain Milne: “From everyone at Harlequins you were a gifted and highly talented number 10, your team always had huge faith and confidence in your command of the game, especially under pressure, but just as importantly you were a top man.”

Cramb also played for the Barbarians against Newport in 1987 and was a pivotal figure for the Anglo-Scots.

Cramb represented Tynedale for four seasons between 1996 and 2000, playing 95 matches and scoring 294 points (including 18 tries and 24 drop goals). After his playing retirement, he coached throughout the age groups at Tynedale as well as with the Colts and eventually became the club’s Chair of Rugby in 2021.

Scottish Rugby sends its sincere condolences to Richard Cramb’s family and many friends.

A memorial service for Richard Cramb will take place at the Church of St Mary and St Stephen, Church Lane, Wolsingham, County Durham DL13 3AJ at 2pm on Saturday 17 January.