Scott Hastings, one of Scotland’s finest

By Sam Jackson

Inducted into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame last year, Scott Hastings will be remembered as one of Scotland‘s finest ever players.

Hastings passed away last Sunday morning at the age of 61.

In 2022 Hastings revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer, receiving treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which could not be cured.

A statement from Hastings’ son Corey and daughter Kerry-Anne read: “We are saddened to inform you that Scott passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the morning of Sunday 17 May.

Playing career

“This also marked his late wife Jenny’s birthday which speaks louder than words that he is safe with his beloved Jenny.

“Scott was undergoing cancer treatment and due to complications deteriorated extremely quickly.

“Despite every effort by the incredible team at the Western General ICU, he passed away peacefully and pain free.”

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 playing career in 1999, Hastings became a commentator and pundit and was also known for his vast charity work in aid of numerous causes including motor neurone disease, and mental health with his wife Jenny, who died after living with depression for 20 years.

Single-minded: Scott Hastings earned 65 caps for Scotland

Determined

Former Scotland and Lions boss Sir Ian McGeechan were among those to pay tribute to Hastings.

“Whatever jersey Scott wore, he just made it better,” said McGeechan. “My association with Scott and his brother Gavin was always special for me because we came into the Scotland set-up, myself as coach, and Scott and Gavin as players, at the same time.

“We came in together and we grew together.

“I remember Scott on the Lions tours taking an absolute lead. He was so single-minded and determined about winning.

“He was very much your right-hand man, given what he did on the field.”

Iconic figure

Former Scotland teammate and current national team coach Gregor Townsend hailed Hastings as an “iconic figure for Scottish rugby”.

“His defensive display in the 1990 Grand Slam victory over England was crucial to that day’s success and he epitomised what it meant to play for Scotland – combining passion, confidence and aggression, whenever he wore the navy blue jersey,” he said.

“Scott always brought positivity and energy into everything he did from his playing career then into the past couple of decades as a widely travelled and respected commentator.

“His passing is a huge loss for Scottish rugby, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends. Rest in peace, Scott.”

Integrity, honesty and empathy

Former England hooker Brian Moore, who was a team-mate of Hastings on his two Lions tours, said: “The man I got to know very well was a man of huge integrity, honesty and empathy.

“His partnership with Jeremy Guscott was seminal to beating Australia in 1989.

“The one thing you always got with Scott – you knew in extremis or when you were on top he would give nothing less than his very best.

“Rugby is much the poorer for his passing, but very much the better for his being.”