Scotland great Scott Hastings has died at the age of 61 after suffering from cancer, the Scottish Rugby Union announced on Sunday.
He won 65 caps for Scotland, playing 51 internationals with his fullback brother, Gavin, and was also selected for the British and Irish Lions tours of Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993.
Diagnosed with cancer
Following his retirement as a player in 1999, Scott Hastings enjoyed a successful career as a rugby broadcaster.
In 2022 Hastings revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer, receiving treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which could not be cured.
He was also known for his charity work in aid of mental health, motor neurone disease, several other causes.
Deteriorated quickly
His children announced that Hastings had died in in an Edinburgh hospital.
“Corey and Kerry-Anne Hastings are saddened to inform you that Scott, the Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the morning of Sunday, 17 May,” said a Scottish Rugby Union statement.
“This also marked his late wife Jenny’s birthday which speaks louder than words that he is safe and with his beloved Jenny. Scott was undergoing cancer treatment and due to complications deteriorated extremely quickly.”
The statement added: “Despite every effort by the incredible team at the Western General Hospital ICU (intensive care unit), he passed away peacefully and pain free.
“At this time the family ask everyone to give them space to process and manage their energies and ask for their privacy to be respected.”
Scottish Rugby extended its heartfelt sympathies to Corey, Kerry-Anne, and Scott’s wider family, led by brothers Graeme, Gavin and Ewan and all his many friends.
The flag will fly at half-mast at Murrayfield Stadium in tribute to one of Scotland’s finest sons.
Details of the funeral service will be shared once finalised.
