Scottish Rugby Mourns Death Of Back-Row Forwards

Two Scotland back-row forwards, who both made a considerable impact in the seven-a-side game, have passed away.Scottish Rugby was saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland captain Pringle Fisher and Borderer Ken Oliver, who followed Fisher into the national team’s back -row.   Fisher, who was 70, won 25 caps for Scotland, making his debut against England in 1963.  He captained Scotland on nine occasions including victories against Australia, France and Wales.Educated at Royal High School and the Edinburgh Dental College, Fisher played his club rugby for Royal High and London Scottish.  He also represented Edinburgh, the Army, Combined Services and the Barbarians.A dentist by profession he served as a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps between 1965 and 1973.His other great sporting love was basketball, in which he represented both Scotland and Great Britain – the latter in the 1960 Rome Olympics. Fisher was a keen sevens player too, helping Royal High to their triumph at the Melrose tournament in 1961.Oliver, who was 63, was capped once against Australia on Scotland’s 1970 tour.  He also toured with the national team to Argentina in 1969 but did not play due to injury.A product of Galashiels Academy, Oliver, an architect by profession, played his club rugby for Gala and also represented the South and a Scottish Districts team.Oliver was a key figure in the hugely successful Gala seven of the late sixties/early seventies, helping them lift trophies at Gala, Melrose, Jed-Forest, Langholm, Ardrossan, Kelso and Selkirk. Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to all the family and friends of both Pringle Fisher and Ken Oliver.Our picture shows Ken Oliver (left) and Pringle Fisher.