The 5 Most Incredible Scottish Rugby Captains of All Time

Want to find out about the best captains Scottish Rugby has ever had? From Kelly Brown to Tom Smith, we have rounded up the top 5 players to have led the country.

With such a rich history of players, Scottish Rugby has seen many incredible captains in its time.

We have rounded up the country's top 5 captains to date based on skill, achievement and legacy - and what a list it is!

Keep reading to find out who made the cut, and discover how you can see the current Scottish Rugby squad in the Autumn Nations Series and 2023 Six Nations.

Greg Laidlaw

We kick off our list with scrum-half Greg Laidlaw, who captained Scotland from 2013 and in his six years of captaincy gained 39 caps (more than any other Scottish captain).

With many strings to his bow, Laidlaw also often played as the first-choice goal kicker, and scored over 700 points for Scotland during his time, putting him in the top realms of the leader board.

Second on the Scottish all-time points list with 714 points in 76 test matches, he was a regular part of the team from the outset and also had the honour of joining the British & Irish Lions in 2017.

Laidlaw's commitment to the game, incredible diversity, and impressive records have undisputedly earned him the right to a place on our top 5 list.

Gavin Hastings

Widely regarded as one of the best Scottish Rugby players to ever grace the pitch, Gavin Hastings was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2003.

As a full back, Hastings completed two tours with the British & Irish Lions and gained 61 caps during his time with Scotland (20 of which were during his captaincy).

Hastings also played a central role in the country's 1990 Five Nations Grand Slam, where his position as the last line of defence and accuracy as a place kicker proved the difference between sides on a number of occasions.

A player at the end of the amateur era of Rugby Union, Gavin Hastings is known to be one of the most outstanding players of his generation and maintains fame even today for his unerring skill and achievements.

Chris Paterson

Highly decorated player Chris Paterson certainly deserves a place on our top 5 list for his incredible record achievements.

Paterson earned his first cap for Scotland in the 1999 Rugby World Cup against Spain and went on to gain a record-breaking 109 caps during his time playing for the country.

With a remarkable list of achievements including 71 points scored in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 40 points scored against Japan in 2004, Paterson was known for his reliable kicking and elusive running.

He also had the honour of captaining the team in the 2007 Six Nations due to Jason White's injuries, and by his time of retirement held many of the most prestigious Scottish career records.

A talented and versatile player, by 2011, Paterson had earned himself a place amongst the top three caps winners at both wing and full back position.

Kelly Brown

Kelly Brown represented Scotland at every age group from Under-16s onwards, and made some amazing achievements during his career.

While patient to become a regular on the international stage, Brown debuted with Scotland in 2005 and went on to play a key role in the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad.  

After returning from injury in 2012, Brown returned to captain the team for his 50th cap in the first Autumn Test of 2012 against New Zealand.

Playing 64 games with the country and 14 as captain, he also joined the Scotland Rugby Sevens team for the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong and had a glittering domestic career with Glasgow Warriors and Saracens.

Despite perhaps being an underdog on our list, Brown was resilient throughout his career and proved great talent as a captain, international and domestic player.

Tom Smith

Tom Smith was one of the finest rugby players of the modern era. As a loose head prop, he garnered a wealth of outstanding achievements during his career.

Smith earned his first Scotland cap in the 1997 Calcutta Cup versus England at Twickenham Stadium and went on to play for the British & Irish Lions in the same year despite only having 3 caps under his belt.  

From then, he continued to be a first choice starter and was the only Scot to play six consecutive Lions test matches (in 1997 and 2001). After being part of the Five Nations winning squad in 1999, Smith progressed to captaincy in the 2001 Autumn Internationals and gained Player of the Season this year.

Smith retired in a full-circle-moment in 2005 against England at Twickenham and left behind a legacy as a fan favourite who is widely considered to be the greatest loosehead prop the country has ever seen.

How can I get Scottish Rugby tickets?

If you want to see current captain Stuart Hogg and his team play in 2022/23, make sure that you make the most of your experience by exploring premium tickets and hospitality packages.

Watch the Autumn Nations Series and 2023 Six Nations from the best seats at BT Murrayfield and enjoy luxury inclusions such as stunning catering, inclusive drinks, and lounge access when you purchase a Scottish Rugby premium ticket or hospitality package.

Seat Unique is delighted to open fan access to premium experiences with Scottish Rugby via our 24/7 online marketplace. Enquire now to secure your place!

Want to know who to look out for in 2022? Check out our blog on 5 of the best Scottish Rugby Players to watch this year!

Find out more about our Scottish Rugby Autumn Nations hospitality packages now!