Scott Hastings (rugby Union)

Scott Hastings (born 4 December 1964) is a Scottish sports commentator and former rugby union player. He won 65 caps at centre for Scotland from 1986 to 1997. Scott is the younger brother of Scottish great Gavin Hastings. They both earned their first cap on 17 January 1986 against France. When he retired, he was Scotland's most-capped player ever. Twice a member of the British Lions in 1989 (Australia) and 1993 (New Zealand)

Rugby

Although sometimes overshadowed by his brother Gavin, Scott Hastings is himself one of the greatest players in Scottish rugby history.Bath, p139-140

:"''He first entered the Scottish squad set-up in 1986 as one of the most cocksure personalities they had ever met. And while that wild ''joie de vivre'' and natural ebullience has sometimes since overspilled off the pitch, they have been a positive boon. In his early days, Scott was most notable for his searing pace, straight-running and ability to break the gain line virtually every time he received the ball. It was not long, however, before his bullocking runs from the centre were complemented by the stonewall defensive qualities which were to remain the salient quality in his game as his pace faded later on.''"

Bath also reminds us of Scott Hastings' proudest moment:
:"''If there is one moment for which he will long be remembered, it was during the 1990 Grand Slam decider, the proudest day in Scottish rugby history. English winger Rory Underwood had scythed through the Scottish defence when Hastings managed to drag him down short of the line when a try seemed inevitable.''"

In June 1996, Hastings made his 62nd Scotland full international appearance and became the country's most capped rugby player, having previously jointly held the record with his brother Gavin.

When touring with the British Lions in New Zealand in 1993 he sustained a cheekbone injury before the test matches and did not play against the All Blacks.

He played in 13 matches for the Barbarians, between 1986 and 2000, captaining the side against New Zealand in December 1993.

After retirement from playing rugby union

Hastings has appeared as a guest presenter on STV's daily lifestyle show '' The Hour'' on a few occasions – his first show being in November 2009, alongside main anchor Michelle McManus. The Scottish magazine programme airs weekdays at 5pm.

He was a co-commentator for ITV's coverage of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. On 10 July 2014, he made his début on the BBC's political discussion show ''Question Time''. During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Hastings supported the Better Together No campaign against independence.

Scott was part of the ITV team covering the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

In 2016 he and his wife Jenny were announced as ambassadors for mental health charity Support in Mind Scotland.

He has been a patron of MND Scotland. He is a supporter of the Euan MacDonald Centre, a research centre that is part of the University of Edinburgh and which looks at motor neurone disease.

Personal life

His older brother Gavin was also a Lions and Scotland international rugby union player. His daughter, Kerry-Anne was selected to play Hockey for Scotland in 2019.

In May 2022, he spoke about his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and that he had received chemotherapy as treatment for this. Later that year he described that he had received his cancer diagnosis five years previously, and was now in remission.

References

* Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 )

External links

Scott Hastings
on Sporting Heroes

Scott Hastings
- tribute in the Scotsman newspaper

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hastings, Scott
1964 births
Living people
Scottish rugby union players
British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Scotland
Rugby union centres
People educated at George Watson's College
Scotland international rugby union players
Rugby union players from Edinburgh
Watsonians RFC players
Barbarian F.C. players