Tributes Pour in for Former Scotland A Back-row Forward Graham Dall

Strategic Insights -

Graham Dall, a talented Scottish rugby player, passed away at the age of 49. Dall was a flanker and leader in his playing days, part of a renowned Heriot's and Edinburgh rugby family. His father, Fraser, was a Scotland B cap winner in 1973, and his brother, Andrew, won a Scotland cap against Wales in 2003. Dall's remarkable rugby career was marked by numerous achievements, including captaining the Scottish Schools on their 1993 tour of Australia, where they won seven games in 28 days, and leading the Scotland Under-19 team in the 1993-94 season.

Key Takeaways:

  • Graham Dall was a versatile rugby player who represented Scotland A on nine occasions, including a notable 40-25 win against Argentina in 2001.
  • Dall captained the Scottish Schools on their 1993 tour of Australia, winning seven games in 28 days and defeating Australia 17-8 in a Test match.
  • He led the Scotland Under-19 team in the 1993-94 season and captained the national under-21 side in all 10 matches in seasons 1994-95 and 1995-96.
  • Dall helped Heriot's win back-to-back club championships from 1998 and turned professional with Edinburgh Reivers in 1999, where he continued to make a significant impact.
  • Former Scotland stand-off Duncan Hodge praised Dall as a "tough, tough competitor" and a "class act" who was always considered one of the "good guys."
  • In his life beyond rugby, Dall became an orthopaedic surgeon, working at the Borders General Hospital and specializing in ankle and foot surgery.

Statistics:

  • Scotland A won nine games against Argentina in 2001, with Philiphaugh being the site of a memorable 40-25 victory against the Pumas.
  • Dall's Scottish Schools won seven games in 28 days during their 1993 tour of Australia, defeating Australia 17-8 in a Test match.
  • In his time with the Scotland Under-19 team, Dall led the team to a successful 1993-94 season.
  • Dall won nine caps for Scotland A, including the 2001 victory against Argentina.
  • He was part of an Scotland A team that drew with England and edged Italy by a single point in a tight away match.

Sources:

  • Former Scotland A back-row forward Graham Dall has died. He was 49.
  • He was a gifted flanker and a proven and charismatic leader.
  • Dall was part of a great Heriot's and Edinburgh rugby family, with his dad, Fraser, being the stand-off in Heriot's championship winning team in 1978-79, having won a Scotland B cap against France in 1973.
  • His younger brother, Andrew, was capped against Wales in Cardiff in 2003 and was also a Scotland age-grade cap and mainstay of the Edinburgh professional team.