Scottish rugby is in mourning following the tragic passing of former Scotland A flanker Graham Dall at just 49 years old.
Dall, a dynamic back-row force, made nine appearances for Scotland A and starred for the Edinburgh Reivers in the early 2000s. The Scottish Rugby Union paid tribute, describing him as
“an immensely gifted flanker and a proven and charismatic leader.”
The flanker who played like a back
Tributes have poured in from across the rugby community, with former teammate Duncan Hodge leading the emotional outpouring.
Tributes have poured in from across the rugby community, with former teammate Duncan Hodge leading the emotional outpouring.
“Graham Dall was like a modern-day openside,” Hodge said. “He was 6ft 1ins and 102kg – he could do the hard graft, the jackling, the defensive work – but what made him different was his attacking game. He played like a back! A class act.”
“He was the kind of guy you always wanted on your team. Tough as nails, but with skills most could only dream of. A brilliant captain, a brilliant mate – it’s a heartbreaking day.”
From the rugby pitch to the operating theatre
After hanging up his boots, Dall went on to serve the community as an orthopaedic surgeon at Borders General Hospital in Melrose, specialising in foot and ankle surgery. His commitment to helping others continued long after his rugby career.
After hanging up his boots, Dall went on to serve the community as an orthopaedic surgeon at Borders General Hospital in Melrose, specialising in foot and ankle surgery. His commitment to helping others continued long after his rugby career.
Rugby legacy runs in the family
His younger brother, Andrew Dall, also made his mark in Scottish rugby, earning a full cap against Wales in Cardiff in 2003 and becoming a familiar face in the Edinburgh ranks.
His younger brother, Andrew Dall, also made his mark in Scottish rugby, earning a full cap against Wales in Cardiff in 2003 and becoming a familiar face in the Edinburgh ranks.
RUCK extends its deepest condolences to the Dall family, Graham’s friends, and everyone in the Scottish rugby community.
