O flower of Scotland, When will we see, your like again. Happy St. Andrews day to our readers, we could not think of a better day than today, to look back on the best players to have played for the proud nation of Scotland.
There have been countless of iconic names to have worn the iconic dark blue jersey throughout the years, and we’ve compiled an Ultimate XV of the very best. Here are RUCK’s picks for the Ultimate Scotland XV, as we celebrate St Andrews Day.
BACK THREE
15. Full Back – Stuart Hogg
We kick off this recount of Scotland greats, with the latest generational talent to hang up the boots. Stuart Hogg called time on his rugby career ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and wrapped up his playing days with Exeter Chiefs. Prior to his move to Devon, Hogg spent nine years with Glasgow Warriors, and is considered amongst the finest Scotland players to run out for the country. The fullback boasts a tremendous assortment of accolades, as a two-time Six Nations Player of the Championship, as well as a Pro12, Premiership and Champions Cup winners medal. Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer with 25 test match scores, Hogg is the first name on this list of tartan legends.
14. Right Wing – Chris Paterson
Slotting in on the right wing is another Scotland record holder, as Chris Paterson has the honour of being the nation’s leading points scorer. Over a decorated international career that stretched from 1999 to 2011, Paterson accrued a stunning total of 809 points throughout 109 caps. This test match appearance tally also stands as the second highest of any Scotland player, with Paterson’s versatility to play on the wing, fullback and even fly half rarely ever seeing him out of the side. Paterson spent most of his club career at Edinburgh, but also enjoyed stints with Glasgow and Gloucester throughout his playing days.
11. Left Wing – Sean Lamont
Scotland’s most capped ‘out-and-out winger’, given Paterson’s talents across the back-line. Sean Lamont was a definitive fan favourite with the Murrayfield faithful, due to his unmmatched pace along the touchline and powerful fend on unfortunate defenders. He gained a total of 105 caps for Scotland, in a test match career which scored 14 tries from 2004 to 2017. Unmissable with his peroxide blonde hair and trademark orange gloves, Lamont would bring the fans to their feet regardless of playing for Scotland, Glasgow, Northampton Saints or the Scarlets.