3. Gavin Hastings Misses Penalty – England 9-6 Scotland: 1991 Rugby World Cup Semi Final
Widley regarded as one of the finest full-backs to ever play the sport, Hastings was used to slotting crucial conversions for his country. However, in 1991, Hastings had the opportunity to send Scotland through to their first ever World Cup Final. A match tied at six points each, coming into the final moments, Scotland are awarded a penalty for foul play in the breakdown.
Up steps Hastings, under 20m out, not one bets against him. Yet an untimely slice of the ball sends the kick attempt past the right-hand post, to the shocked surprise of the Murrayfield crowd. England’s Christopher Andrew later found the opportunity to slot a drop goal, and take England through to the final, to eventually win silver medals at the hands of Australia.
Despite the match being a try-less encounter, this timeless classic in the Scottish capitol with be forever remembered for Hastings’ miss-kick, and the feeling of “what could have been” for Scotland.
4. History Made by Women’s World Cup Hosts – Scotland 0-26 England: 1996 Women’s World Cup
When the only second ever Women’s Rugby World Cup was cancelled just two weeks before kick-off, there was little hope for a thriving women’s game. Originally scheduled to be held in Amsterdam, the tournament was pulled by officials in The Netherlands, with no replacement lined-up. The cancellation was made as the tournament board failed to gain official recognition from the IRB, and failed to achieve rights to the name ‘Women’s Rugby World Cup’.
This resulted in funding cuts across the competition, and the likes of New Zealand, Spain and the Netherlands withdrawing their teams. Then up-stepped Scotland. Rebelling against the proposed sanctions, Scotland selflessly took over matters, and held the competition as last minute hosts. They were drawn into Pool B with England, and the two played their first international women’s game in the landmark tournament.
A 26-0 victory to England marked the occasion, with England then proceeding to fight their way through to World Cup glory. But all credit must go to Scotland, had England’s oldest enemy not offered to host the tournament, then they would have gone without their eventual World Cup triumph. This anti-establishment Scottish attitude helped lay the foundations for the women’s game we see today, and such significant pioneers will be remembered all these years later.