"St Andrews Day Special" - Ultimate XV: Scotland's Past and Present Greats

O flower of Scotland, When will we see, your like again. Happy St. Andrews day to our readers, we could not think of a better day than today, to look back on the best players to have played for the proud nation of Scotland.

There have been countless of iconic names to have worn the iconic dark blue jersey throughout the years, and we've compiled an Ultimate XV of the very best. Here are RUCK's picks for the Ultimate Scotland XV, as we celebrate St Andrews Day.

We kick off this recount of Scotland greats, with the latest generational talent to hang up the boots. Stuart Hogg called time on his rugby career ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and wrapped up his playing days with Exeter Chiefs. Prior to his move to Devon, Hogg spent nine years with Glasgow Warriors, and is considered amongst the finest Scotland players to run out for the country. The fullback boasts a tremendous assortment of accolades, as a two-time Six Nations Player of the Championship, as well as a Pro12, Premiership and Champions Cup winners medal. Scotland's all-time leading try scorer with 25 test match scores, Hogg is the first name on this list of tartan legends.

Slotting in on the right wing is another Scotland record holder, as Chris Paterson has the honour of being the nation's leading points scorer. Over a decorated international career that stretched from 1999 to 2011, Paterson accrued a stunning total of 809 points throughout 109 caps. This test match appearance tally also stands as the second highest of any Scotland player, with Paterson's versatility to play on the wing, fullback and even fly half rarely ever seeing him out of the side. Paterson spent most of his club career at Edinburgh, but also enjoyed stints with Glasgow and Gloucester throughout his playing days.

Scotland's most capped 'out-and-out winger', given Paterson's talents across the back-line. Sean Lamont was a definitive fan favourite with the Murrayfield faithful, due to his unmmatched pace along the touchline and powerful fend on unfortunate defenders. He gained a total of 105 caps for Scotland, in a test match career which scored 14 tries from 2004 to 2017. Unmissable with his peroxide blonde hair and trademark orange gloves, Lamont would bring the fans to their feet regardless of playing for Scotland, Glasgow, Northampton Saints or the Scarlets.

A legend of the Scotland's late amateur era, who ushered the national side into the professional rugby landscape. Scott Hastings was at times overshadowed by his brother Gavin, however in our eyes he makes the starting XV, with Gavin amongst the back-three replacements. A lifelong Edinburgh midfielder, Hastings' ability to glide passed his opponents made him one of the most revered players North of the border. Hasting's iconic try-saving tackle on Rory Underwood lives long in Scottish memory, as he stopped England from scoring, and in turn won the historic 1990 Six Nations Grand Slam decider.

With an honourable mention to Alan Tait, John Leslie pulled the strings in the Scottish midfield from 1998 to 2002. The centre was originally from Lower Hutt, New Zealand and enjoyed a globetrotting career that took him from his homeland, to Japan, Newcastle and Northampton Saints. Leslie's line-breaks were second to none in his hay-day, and he claims the honour of scoring the nation's fastest ever try against Wales. Leslie was named Player of the Tournament in the 1999 Five Nations, and after his international retirement saw out his playing days back home in Otago.

It simply had to be Finn Russell. The Premiership's maverick fly-half has settled nicely into his new home at the Recreation Ground, after moving to Bath from Racing 92 over the Summer. The tantalising Scotland talisman is an unpredictable bag of tricks, who's infectious personality makes him one of the most popular men on the pitch. Formerly of Glasgow and Ayr, Russell has also shone for the Barbarians and has a British & Irish Lions test cap from the 2021 Tour to South Africa. At times unplayable, when Russell retires he will in no doubt go down as an all-time great.

When Greig Laidlaw was flung into the spotlight for the 2012 Six Nations, few would have thought that the 'quick-fix' to Dan Parks' sudden retirement, would go on to be arguably Scotland's greatest ever scrum-half. Laidlaw and Russell formed a telepathic wavelength during their halfback partnership, with the number nine all but tattooed onto the back of the man from Edinburgh. Frequently taken the honour of Scotland captain, Laidlaw led his nation for seven years before hanging up his test match boots in 2019, for his 76th and final Scotland cap.

David Sole spent the majority of his life south of the Scottish border, as he graduated Exeter University and was quickly snapped up to play for Bath. A fearsome scrummager, with a high-octane engine around the park, Sole soon garnered the attention for international selection and made his test debut in 1986 against France. Sole would be a pillar on the Scottish loose-head for the next six years, where he racked up a total of 44 caps. Sole was the captain for the 1990 Grand Slam win against England, in what has gone down amongst Scotland's greatest victories.

Scotland's most capped international men's player, Ross Ford ran out for his country a historic 110 times. Add in the one British & Irish Lions cap from the 2009 Tour to South Africa, and Ford has cemented his legacy amongst Northern Hemisphere hookers. Ford has since gone into coaching post-retirement, and is ushering through the next generation of Scotland bruisers as the nations Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach. Colossal in the scrum with a snipers' accuracy from the line-out, Ross goes down amongst Scotland's best to pack down the scrum.

if Zander Fagerson continues at this rate, the tight-head prop could be on track to break Ross Ford's appearence record in years to come. At just 27-years-old, Fagerson has already made 62 appearances for his country, and looks to have improved in each and every run out in the famous tartan and blue. A Glasgow Warriors lifer, Fagerson has not once been tempted away from Scotstoun Stadium, with his roots embedded deep in the city. Fagerson's off-field career sees him take up an Assistant Coach role with amateur club Glasgow High Kelvinside.

At one time in history, Scott Murray was the all-time leading appearence holder for his country. The lock achieved the accolade on his 87th and final test cap, with the honour since surpassed by a collective of Scottish centurions. Murray was named as Scotland's Player of the Year, when his side won the Five Nations Championship in 1999. He went on to win the same honour on two more occasions, picking up the accolade in 2002 and 2003. Murray was awarded Scottish captaincy for his 50th test cap, as he lead his country out in the 2003 Rugby World Cup against Italy.

The late, great George 'Doddie' Weir captured the hearts and minds of rugby fans beyond Scotland. Tragically diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in June 2017, Weir worked tirelessly to raise awareness and generate revenue for research through the fantastic 'My Name5 Doddie' campaign. Weir's on-field career was equally as remarkable, as he was a stalwart of the Scotland row throughout the 1990s. A fan favourite wherever he went, Weir also holds the accolade of being the only Scot to score two tries against the All Blacks in a single test match. A brilliant man, Weir sadly passed away due to MND in November 2022, with an emotional funeral service decorated in his iconic tartan colours.

When Finlay Calder captained the 1989 British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia, he became the first Scotsman to take the lead since Mike Campbell-Lamerton in 1966. He ushered in an era of success for the Lions, who had been undergoing a losing run after the legends of Willie John McBride's era moved on. Calder took the Lions to a tour victory in '86, which was their first tour win since '74. A 34-capped Scotland international, Calder's ferocity in the tackle and battering efforts at the breakdown made him a revered opponent across the world. A true icon of Scottish representation in the Lions, Calder performed best on the biggest stages.

One of the most loved Scotland internationals, 'The Mish' is adored by the Murrayfield faithful. Watson's disregard for his own saftey sees him put his heart on his sleeve, and his head in the most dangerous places. However, with an excellent tackle technique and amongst the world's best over the jackal, Watson tends to come away unscathed and reaping the plaudits for his side. With 59 Scotland caps and counting, his career high so far saw him named Player of the Tournament for the 2021 Six Nations. His tireless work ethic has also garnered him Scotland Sevens caps, as Watson's run out in four competitions in the gruelling match type.

Rounding off our starting XV of Scotland greats is John Barclay, who is one of several former captains named amongst the squad. The former Glasgow, Scarlets and Edinburgh man was as tough as they come in the carry, and would batter his way through the gain-line, leaving his opponents bruised on the deck. His international tenure saw him make 76 Scotland caps from 2007 to 2019, and cross over for seven tries from the back of the pack. Following his retirement, Barclay is still seen amongst the rugby landscape, as he offers punditry during Scotland matches.

16. Colin Deans (Hooker)

17. Ian McLauchlan (Loose-Head Prop)

18. WP Nel (Tight-Head Prop)

19. Nathan Hines (Lock)

20. Jason White (Back Row)

21. Mike Blair (Scrum Half)

22. Gregor Townsend (Fly Half)

23. Gavin Hastings (Back Three)