Scottish Rugby have announced that to mark the 150th anniversary of the first-ever international rugby match, played at Raeburn Place on the 27 March 1871, they will induct the entire Scotland XX who beat England 1-0, into its Hall of Fame.

They will join 27 luminaries already in the Hall of Fame, all who have played starring roles in forging Scottish Rugby’s rich and enduring history both on and off the field.

John Jeffrey (Scottish Rugby Chairman) said: “The 20 men who took to the field at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh wearing the thistle of Scotland that Monday afternoon in 1871 against their counterparts wearing the rose of England were the perfect pioneers.

"Their determination to ensure Scotland gave a good account of its prowess under Rugby rules cradled a game that is now played by over 8 million men and women in more than 120 countries. What a debt of gratitude we owe them!"

The news was welcomed by Scottish Rugby’s patron, HRH The Princess Royal who said: “As international rugby celebrates its 150th anniversary, let us remember the pioneers who masterminded that first game. Theirs is a wonderfully compelling legacy."

Edinburgh Accies are very pleased to see the seven Accie pioneers in that Scottish XX - Francis Moncreiff (who was the captain), Thomas Marshall, Jim Finlay, Robert (Bulldog) Irvine, James Mein, William Lyall  and Alexander Robertson (who was at the Academy but played for West of Scotland)- join four other Accies who are already in the Hall of Fame - Phil Macpherson, Douglas Elliot, Donna Kennedy and Norman Mair (who was at the Academy but played for Edinburgh Uni).

Full detail here.

NOTE: This article was originally posted our old website on 25th March 2021, but was migrated to this website as part of go-live in May 2021.