SCOTTISH rugby is paying tribute for former Scotland player and head coach Derrick Grant.
The former Hawick back row who represented the British and Irish Lions has died at the age of 86.
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Derrick Grant in action with ScotlandCredit: Rex
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Former Scotland full-back Gavin Hastings looks onCredit: Getty – Contributor
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Derrick Grant was one of Scotland’s most illustrious coachesCredit: Rex
Closely succeeding his fellow Borderer and pal Jim Telfer, Grant was appointed Scotland head coach in the 1985/86 season.
His first match was an 18-17 victory against France at Murrayfield which featured six new caps – Gavin Hastings, Matt Duncan, Scott Hastings, David Sole, Jeremy Campbell-Lamerton and Finlay Calder.
Part of the “ultimate rugby think-tank”, the SRU paid tribute to a quiet and humble man, ahead of his time in his ability to analyse a game and get the best out of his charges.
Former Scotland and Lions star said: “He was as hard as nails on the pitch but Derrick was always keen to understand why, as a player, you had done certain things.
“He was a deep, deep thinker on the game and was such a decent fellow.”
Born in Hawick on 19 April, 1938, Grant won 14 caps for Scotland between 1965 and 1968.
He made his first XV debut for Hawick as an open-side in 1953 aged just FIFTEEN years old then had two years’ national service in the Army in the Tank corps, initially in Catterick and then in Germany.
Marrying Elsie at the Crown Hotel in Hawick in 1961, Grant captained Hawick to the unofficial club championship and Border League.
He made his Scotland debut away to France at the Stade Colombes in Paris in January 1965 before featuring in a draw against England at Twickenham and a win against South Africa at Murrayfield.
In his 14 caps, Derrick enjoyed a 50%-win ratio.
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In 1966, off the back of victories against Ireland – Scotland’s fourth successive triumph at Lansdowne Road – and England, he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand.
He scored his only try for Scotland in that 11-3 win against Ireland, dotting down from a scoring pass from his fellow Borderer, Eck Hastie.
He had played two games in Australia for the Lions before injury intervened and he was also restricted when the Lions crossed the Tasman, playing in “just” eight games in New Zealand.
Derrick, who had represented the Barbarians in three matches between 1965 and 1967, won his last cap for Scotland against France at home in 1968.
He coached the Green Machine to five successive club championship titles from the inauguration of official leagues in 1973-74 as the South became the dominant force in district rugby in Scotland at that time.
In partnership with the likes of Telfer, Sir Ian McGeechan, Dougie Morgan and Richie Dixon, Derrick continued to climb the coaching ladder, taking charge of the national B team.
In 1983, he became assistant coach to Colin Telfer with the Scotland team, steering them to a victory against England at Twickenham, their first since 1971.
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Derrick Grant (second right) with the Scotland teamCredit: Alamy
He presided over a 33-6 Murrayfield victory against England, but nowed out after a 9-6 defeat to England in 1988.
During his time as head coach, Scotland won nine of the 18 Test matches and drew one other – the 20-all scoreline against France in Scotland’s first game in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.
He remained an influential figure with the national team, acting as a lineout and scrums specialist coach during the 1990 Grand Slam campaign.
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He continued to offer his time and expertise to Scottish rugby as a national team selector and national under-21 team manager, retiring from selection after the 2003 Six Nations.
The SRU added: “Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Derrick’s wife, Elsie, sons David and Steven, daughter in laws Susan and Ann and their families, plus his many friends in Scotland and beyond.”
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