Rugby is one of the most popular sports around the world. The game happens to be one of the most dangerous sports, filled with injuries, excitement, and thrills. And Scotland’s Rugby team is one of the top favorite teams across the world.
The Scotland Rugby team has produced some undeniable talents. From top-scoring kicking records to Grand Slam efforts, the Scottish team has achieved some impressive feats over the years.
We have rounded up the very best players who have represented their nation in the global platform and professional history. Today we look at the 5 best Scottish Rugby players of the modern era.
Ross William Ford
Ross William Ford is Scotland's most capped Scottish Rugby player of all time. On 24th June 2017, Ford made his 110th appearance for Scotland overtaking Chris Patterson as the most capped Scottish Rugby player.
Ford made his debut in 2004 in an Autumn International against Australia at BT Murrayfield. Ford has established a unique quality as a hooker in his 15-year international career. He has also played three World Cups in 2007, 2011, and 2015.
Ford announced his retirement in June of 2019 and has been undertaking the role of Strength and Conditioning coach at the Scottish Rugby Academy.
Jamie Ritchie
Jamie Ritchie is arguably Scotland's best player on the current Scottish Rugby team. He has got the physique, the game knowledge, and the passion for the game.
Jamie began his Rugby career at a tender age and has represented his country at under-16, under-18, and under-20. Jamie Ritchie scored his first try for Scotland against Fiji in the 2018 Autumn Tests. The former Scotland U20 captain also played a key role in Heroit's dramatic title win against Melrose in 2015.
Besides playing rugby, Jamie Ritchie was also a silver medalist at the British Judo Championship in 2009 and the British International Schools Judo Championship in 2010. He is also an excellent cricket player and played the game during his time in school.
Stuart Hogg
Stuart Hogg has established himself as one of the greatest players in the history of Scottish Rugby. Hogg won his first-ever cap for Scotland against Wales in 2012 when he was introduced as a substitute for Max Evans.
Hogg has also been named as ''Player of the Tournament'' twice in the Six Nations – the first Scottish player to receive the award, in 2016 and 2017. His explosive and exciting game-play style often gets the crowd off their seats.
Hogg's hard work, consistency, and attacking brilliance got him selected in the British and Irish Lions tour in 2013 and 2017. However, his 2017 tour was cut short due to an injury. Stuart Hogg was named the captain for the 2020 Six Nations Championship against Ireland, England, Italy, France, and Wales.
Chris Paterson
Chris Paterson is Scotland's highest point scorer with 809 points and the second most-capped player of all time with 109 caps under his name. He was probably the best stalwart of the Scottish team in his time. However, he was capable of playing in a wide range of playing positions including full-back, wing, and fly-half.
Paterson started his amateur career with the hometown club Gala for which he scored a solo try that won his club the 1999 Scottish Cup. He was an excellent goal kicker and amassed 1,860 points in his career. His reliable kicking tactics saw him gain a 100% kicking record, making 36 consecutive goals over a 10-month period.
Paterson gained his first cap against Spain in the 1999 Rugby World Cup as a fullback. Paterson was also picked up for the other two World Cup games – however, exited in the Quarter Finals on every occasion.
Tommy Seymour
Tommy Seymour is one of the most lethal finishers in the league. He made his debut in the Scotland team in a 2013 away Test against South Africa. He has since then made 55 appearances on the international stage, earning 55 caps.
Playing in the wing positions, Tommy Seymour has scored 20 international tries giving him a place in the fourth position in the all-time list. He also featured in two Rugby World Cups (2015 and 2019) and holds a record of scoring a try in four consecutive tournament matches in 2015.
The Bottom Line
Besides these names, there are also the greatest of all times like Gavin Hastings, Andy Irvine, and Gregor Townsend who have set a unique benchmark for the upcoming players in Rugby.
