Lawson, who most recently has plied his trade at Newcastle Falcons, helping them back into the Aviva Premiership for the coming season, played for Scotland 31 times, including 12 starts, emulating his father Alan who also played for his country at number 9. Rory captained his country on 5 occasions.
Scotland has consistently produced a high number of quality scrum halves over the years, and Rory was no exception. In many ways however it's the reason he never accumulated more caps for his country. Since playing his debut in 2006, he was in a 3 way contest with Chris Cusiter and Mile Blair to establish himself in the 9 shirt. All 3 men have captained Scotland, illustrating the strength in depth in the type if player and character we have been fortunate to see playing at scrum half for Scotland.
Rory Lawson celebrates Scotland's famous
win over South Africa
It's no surprise to me that Rory rose to the top of the game to lead Scotland. I was lucky enough to see him play and even train with Rory at schoolboy level, at Dollar Academy. Head boy of the school and captain of a 1st XV that included young upstarts like fellow Scottish cap Graeme Morrison, he showed very early the skills to lead on and off the pitch.
Of course, he also comes from good rugby stock. As I mentioned, his father played for Scotland and his elder brother Gregor wasn't shy of a rugby ball and had a bit of pace about him as I recall. And of course his maternal grandfather was the legendary commentator Bill McLaren.
Following university, he signed for Edinburgh where he played for 3 years before being signed by Gloucester Rugby in 2006, the club he would become synonymous with and where he would go on to play 151 times, leading the twice table topping cherry and whites to the playoffs where they never quite managed to clinch the title.
His arrival and subsequent rise at Gloucester coincided with his first appearance in the national team, earning his debut against Australia in November 2006 at Murrayfield.
His 6 nations debut came at Twickenham in 2007 against England off the bench. He started against France on the final weekend of that tournament.
Other career highlights would include playing New Zealand in the 2007 World Cup and coming on for 60 minutes for an injured Chris Cusiter in the famous win over Australia in 2009.
But perhaps my residing memory of Rory in a Scotland shirt is when he captained Scotland against South Africa at Murrayfield in 2010. Rory controlled the game beautifully, his box kicking I remember was impeccable, his containment game exceptional. His face as he kicked the ball dead after the clock had gone red was the perfect mix of disbelief, relief and ecstasy.
Rory has left the playing side of the game but I get the feeling he'll be involved in other capacities, whether it be in commentary or coaching. He has been one of the most affable, hardworking and honest players to put on a Scotland jersey, both for fellow players and fans alike, and he will be missed.
I wish him all the very best in whatever he chooses to do in the future.
But perhaps my residing memory of Rory in a Scotland shirt is when he captained Scotland against South Africa at Murrayfield in 2010. Rory controlled the game beautifully, his box kicking I remember was impeccable, his containment game exceptional. His face as he kicked the ball dead after the clock had gone red was the perfect mix of disbelief, relief and ecstasy.
Rory has left the playing side of the game but I get the feeling he'll be involved in other capacities, whether it be in commentary or coaching. He has been one of the most affable, hardworking and honest players to put on a Scotland jersey, both for fellow players and fans alike, and he will be missed.
I wish him all the very best in whatever he chooses to do in the future.
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