Ian McLauchlan, pictured with Princess Anne, served Scottish Rugby as a player and board member for 60 years and went on two successful Lions tours Former Scotland captain and British and Irish Lions great Ian McLauchlan has died at the age of 83. McLauchlan led his country 19 times in his 43 caps and played his last Test against New Zealand at Murrayfield in November 1979. A prop known for his fearsome scrummaging despite weighing only 14st 6lb on his debut in 1969, McLauchlan earned the nickname 'Mighty Mouse' and was part of successful Lions tours to New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974. He was one of only five players to start all eight Test matches on those tours, and scored a crucial try in the first Test in Dunedin in June 1971 as the Lions won 9-3. "He was some character and some player," his former Scotland and Lions team-mate Andy Irvinetold Scottish Rugby.,external "He was smaller than most props he came up against but I never saw anyone get the better of him. "He was so tough, almost indestructible. What a fantastic career he had for Scotland, and the Lions. It's very, very sad." McLauchlan served as Scottish Rugby's president from 2010-2012 and stepped away from the board in 2019, giving 60 years of service from his debut as a player. In 2013, he was inducted to Scottish Rugby's Hall of Fame and in 2017 he was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List. Scottish Rugby said it was "immensely saddened" to learn of his death on Friday.
Ex-Scotland prop McLauchlan, part of iconic winning Lions teams, dies at 83
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TruthLens AI Summary
Ian McLauchlan, a celebrated former Scotland rugby captain and British and Irish Lions player, has passed away at the age of 83. With a remarkable career spanning over six decades, McLauchlan earned 43 caps for Scotland and captained the national team 19 times. His final Test match was against New Zealand at Murrayfield in November 1979. Known as 'Mighty Mouse' for his formidable scrummaging skills despite his relatively lighter weight of 14st 6lb when he debuted in 1969, McLauchlan was a pivotal figure in the sport. He was a member of the Lions teams that toured New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974, starting all eight Test matches during those tours. His notable contributions included scoring a crucial try in the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin, helping the Lions achieve a 9-3 victory in June 1971.
Beyond his playing career, McLauchlan dedicated a significant portion of his life to Scottish Rugby, serving as a player and board member for 60 years. He held the position of president from 2010 to 2012 and officially stepped down from the board in 2019. His contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013, and he was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List in 2017. The rugby community mourns his passing, with former teammates and officials reflecting on his toughness and character. Scottish Rugby expressed its profound sadness at McLauchlan's death, highlighting the lasting impact he made on the sport and the legacy he leaves behind in Scottish rugby history.
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