Former Scotland and British Lions full-back Andy Irvine was tonight elected President of the Scottish Rugby Union.

At the Union’s AGM at Murrayfield, Irvine was elected to the office in a secret ballot of club delegates, defeating the current senior vice-president George Blackie by 107 votes to 64.

Irvine, 53, won 51 caps for Scotland between 1972 and 1982 and toured three times with the British and Irish Lions – to South Africa in 1974 and 1980 and New Zealand in 1977.

Irvine (Heriot’s), who is Executive Chairman (Scotland) of property agents Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “I thank the clubs for their endorsement of my decision to stand for the post of president.

“Their decision, coupled with the new corporate governance structure we now have in place, marks the start of a new era for Scottish Rugby – an era that must be characterised by harmony with self-interest removed from the agenda.

“As a nation we all have to pull together to promote the game. The new Scottish Rugby Council, comprising representatives of clubs, districts, referees, schools, women and players, will meet for the first time tonight and promoting the game will be uppermost in our thoughts.

“Success at pro-team and international level is obviously highly desirable and must always be a major priority. It is also of vital importance that we strengthen the domestic game in Scotland and generate greater player and spectator numbers.

“I would especially like to see a significant increase in youngsters playing the game and, more importantly, persuade them to continue playing rugby into the senior ranks.”

One of the first tasks for the Council will be to elect a chairman who along with three other Council members will take their places on the new Scottish Rugby Board, the single decision-making body that will control Scottish Rugby.

The appointment of the Council chairman and delegates to the Board will be announced on Monday (27 June).


In other decisions taken at tonight’s AGM, clubs endorsed an amendment proposed by GHA and seconded by Edinburgh Accies and Berwick to adhere to the proposals from John Jeffrey’s working party for the reshaping of the league structure from 2006-07 onwards.

Clubs also supported a new plate competition being added to the existing Cup, Shield and Bowl competitions.

Interim chairman and chief executive Fred McLeod reported that Scottish Rugby showed a loss of £2.248 million for the year to 30 April 2005, compared to a loss of £8.4 million in the 13 month period ending 30 April 2004.

This article was posted on 24-Jun-2005, 20:38 by Hugh Barrow.