Scotland rugby great Hastings dies at 61
TL;DR
Scott Hastings, a celebrated Scottish rugby player, has passed away at 61. He was part of the last Scotland team to win a Grand Slam in 1990 and later became a prominent rugby broadcaster.
Key points
- Scott Hastings died at age 61
- He was part of Scotland's last Grand Slam-winning team in 1990
- Hastings earned 65 caps for Scotland
- He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 1989 and 1993
- He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2022
Mentioned in this story
One of Scotland's best and most loved rugby union players, Scott Hastings, has died at age 61.
Hastings, alongside his brother Gavin, was part of the last Scotland side to win a Grand Slam when they triumphed in the 1990 Five Nations.
While playing club rugby for Watsonians in his hometown of Edinburgh, Hastings earned 65 caps and toured twice with the British and Irish Lions in 1989 and 1993.
After ending his rugby career in 1999, Hastings became a well known rugby broadcaster, both as a commentator and pundit.
In 2022 Hastings revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer, receiving treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which could not be cured.
He was also known for his charity work in aid of mental health, motor neurone disease, and plenty of other causes.
Inducted into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame last year, Hastings is considered as one of Scotland's greatest rugby union players.
Hastings made his name in the amateur era of rugby, playing for Watsonians and Edinburgh district sides before making his Scotland debut in 1986.
He and his older brother Gavin both made their first international appearances against France that year and went on to have succesful Scotland careers.
Hastings started the 1990 Grand Slam decider and made a famous, shuddering tackle on England winger Rory Underwood as Scotland triumphed 13-7 at Murrayfield.
On the Lions tour of Australia in 1989, the centre started two of the three Test matches but was denied the chance to do the same in New Zealand four years later when his trip was cut short due to a shattered cheekbone.
When rugby union went professional in 1995, he captained Edinburgh and after retiring became a familiar face on TV for his energetic and upbeat commentary and punditry.
Hastings was also a strong advocate for mental health charities with his wife Jenny, who died after living with depression for 20 years.
After his former Scotland team-mate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, Hastings also helped raise money in the fight to find a cure for the illness.
More to follow.
Q&A
What were Scott Hastings' major achievements in rugby?
Scott Hastings was part of the last Scotland side to win a Grand Slam in 1990 and earned 65 caps while playing for Watsonians.
When did Scott Hastings reveal his cancer diagnosis?
Scott Hastings revealed his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2022.
How did Scott Hastings contribute to rugby after his playing career?
After retiring in 1999, Hastings became a well-known rugby broadcaster, serving as both a commentator and pundit.
