Richard ‘Dick’ Allan
8 Dec 2020Scottish Rugby is saddened to hear of the passing of former international scrum-half Dick Allan. He was 81 and died in hospital in Paisley in November 2020.
Born in Glasgow on 16 March 1939, Richard Campbell Allan attended Hutchesons’ Grammar School in the city before going on to play for their FP side.
Blessed with a devastating break, he had the distinction of being the first player to be capped from his club and was also a Scottish international swimmer.
His rugby international debut was the 1969 home match against Ireland, which Scotland, affected by injuries to Jim Telfer and Chris Rea, lost 0-16.
When Allan won his first cap, he was in his tenth season with Hutchesons and, in addition to club captaincy, he also led Glasgow District.
In the Ireland match, Bill McMurtrie in his Glasgow Herald match report, noted: “Allan was given much worthless ball. In such circumstances the scrum-half did well to prevent the effect of bad ball being multiplied.”
The report continued: “Allan’s game had to be brave and selfless and only once had he the chance to attempt a close-quarter break from one of the few rucks that Scotland won.”
Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Dick Allan’s family and friends.
