- Ian McLauchlan, former Scotland captain and Lions great, has died aged 83
- The prop earned 43 caps for Scotland and starred in Lions tours of 1971 and 1974
- He gave 60 years of service to Scottish Rugby and was awarded an OBE in 2017
Former Scotland skipper Ian McLauchlan, one of the most revered props in British and Irish Lions history, has died at the age of 83.
Nicknamed ‘Mighty Mouse’ for his powerful scrummaging and compact frame, McLauchlan won 43 caps for Scotland between 1969 and 1979, captaining his country on 19 occasions — a national record until David Sole overtook him.
He also played a pivotal role in two of the Lions’ most celebrated tours, starting all eight Tests across the series wins in New Zealand (1971) and South Africa (1974).
His only Test try came in the opening match of the ’71 tour in Dunedin, where he charged down an attempted clearance to touch down in a 9-3 win.
Despite tipping the scales at just 14st 6lb on debut, McLauchlan never took a backward step. His destructive technique, regularly got the better of heavier rivals in an era when set-pieces were central to the game.
McLauchlan’s international career spanned a decade, ending with a Test against New Zealand at Murrayfield in 1979 at the age of 37.
Former Lions prop Ian McLauchlan, pictured ahead of the 1971 tour to New Zealand, has died
McLauchlan gave 60 years of service to Scottish Rugby and was awarded an OBE in 2017
Scotland icon McLauchlan seen in action for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 1974
He taught PE at Broughton High School and, after a brief spell in journalism, launched his own marketing firm. But his involvement with the sport never waned.
McLauchlan served as president of Scottish Rugby from 2010 to 2012, during which time Scotland recorded unbeaten summer tours to Argentina and Australasia and clinched memorable wins over South Africa and Ireland.
He remained on the board until 2019 and took on senior governance roles across the sport — including chair of the British and Irish Lions Trust, director of EPCR, and chair of the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation. He also supported the women’s national team and was a regular presence at international matches.
In 2013, he was inducted into Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame and four years later received an OBE for services to rugby.
Scottish Rugby confirmed news of his death in a statement on Saturday. It read: ‘Scottish Rugby is immensely saddened to learn of the death yesterday, 20 June, of former Scotland captain, Past President of the SRU and British and Irish Lions loosehead prop, Ian McLauchlan OBE. He was 83.’
Former team-mate Andy Irvine paid tribute, saying: ‘He was some character and some player.
‘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.’
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney added: ‘Very sorry to hear to the death of Ian McLauchlan. As a schoolboy I watched him play mesmerising rugby.
‘He gave a lifetime of service to the game, and motivated so many to make a contribution. My condolences to his family.’
