Rugby legend returns to his roots

An inspirational figure who is proud of his Yorkshire roots, Sir Ian received a rousing ovation from the business leaders who had gathered at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.

Sir Ian was educated at Moore Grange, Allerton Moor and Carnegie College of Physical Educa- tion.

He made his rugby debut for Yorkshire Colts in 1965 and for Yorkshire County XV in 1966.

His first Scotland trial was in 1968 and his debut was as a stand-off versus New Zealand at Murrayfield in December 1972.

In total Sir Ian won 32 caps for Scotland – 20 at centre, 12 at stand-off, with a total of nine games as captain.

He scored a total of 21 points for Scotland.

He toured with the British Lions as a player in 1974 in the unbeaten tour to South Africa and in 1977 to New Zealand, when he played in all eight tests.

Sir Ian was Scotland coach from 1988-1993 and, during that period, Scotland completed the Grand Slam in 1990.

In July this year, Leeds Carnegie confirmed that Sir Ian had accepted the opportunity to return ‘home’ to Yorkshire and become the club’s new executive chairman, succeeding Paul Caddick at the Championship Rugby Union club with immediate effect.

After receiving the award from the Variety Children’s Charity Chief Barker, Keith Andrews, Sir Ian said: “It’s a privilege to receive something like this.

“It’s been a privilege to be involved in a sport that I love.”

Sir Ian said he didn’t want to see Yorkshire players going elsewhere to play top rugby, so he wanted to build links with clubs and schools around the county.

He said he had gone back to his roots to try and make that possible.