Latest news with #McLauchlan
Scotsman
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Ian McLauchlan dressing room tribute ahead of Lions' tour opener in Australia
Scotland prop remembered in Australia Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The British and Irish Lions paid tribute to Ian McLauchlan ahead of their first tour match in Australia. The Scotland prop, who played eight Test matches for the Lions in the 1970s, died earlier this month at the age of 83. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A ferocious scrummager, McLauchlan was short on stature but huge in heart and nicknamed Mighty Mouse for his fearsome commitment to the cause. A Lions jersey bearing Ian McLauchlan's name and number hangs in the away dressing room at Optus Stadium in Perth before the Lions' tour opener against Western Force. | British & Irish Lions A Lions jersey bearing McLauchlan's name and number was placed in the away dressing room before the match against Western Force in Perth on Saturday. The Ayrshire loosehead played 30 times in total for the Lions and was a key player in the Test series victories over New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. 'Everyone at the British & Irish Lions sends our heartfelt condolences to the McLauchlan family at this incredibly sad time,' said Ieuan Evans, the Lions chair and tour manager. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Mighty Mouse had a huge impact on the Lions across two highly successful Tours. To win back-to-back Lions series in New Zealand and then South Africa is a phenomenal achievement. Ian McLauchlan, pictured at a Lions training camp ahead of the tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1971. | Getty Images 'Not only was he a key part of the last side to win a Lions Series against the All Blacks in 1971, but he then went on to become one of the legendary invincibles from South Africa in 1974. Mighty Mouse was a huge character - adored by Lions and Scotland fans alike.' McLauchlan won 43 caps for Scotland, 19 as captain, and Ian McGeechan remembered him as an inspiring team-mate. 'I played a lot of my rugby for Scotland with the Mouse,' McGeechan said on Sky Sports. 'He was 5ft 8in and 15 stone but such a competitor. He was also a mentor, and as a new player coming in he was really supportive. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Andy Irvine and I came in together and he just drove players to perform. He captained Scotland 19 times but he also grew in the Lions environment. He played eight Tests, won five of them, drew two and lost one across two tours. 'He positively influenced everyone around him. He was a great man and it's a big loss.'
Irish Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes paid following death of British and Irish Lions legend
Lions legend and former Scotland captain, Ian McLauchlan, has passed away at the age of 83. Known affectionately as Mighty Mouse, McLauchlan captained Scotland 19 times in his 43 appearances for the country, playing between 1969 and 1979. However, he is perhaps best remembered as one of only five players to have played in all eight Lions Tests on the victorious tours of New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974 respectively. Despite being smaller than most props, the robust prop had a formidable reputation in the scrum and scored a crucial try against the All Blacks in '71 in a 9-3 opening-Test victory. "He was some character and some player," commented his former Scotland teammate, Andy Irvine. "He was smaller than most props he came up against but I never saw anyone get the better of him. He was so tough, almost indestructible." McLauchlan was honoured with an induction into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame and was awarded an OBE eight years ago. The iconic figure served as the president of Scottish Rugby from 2010 until 2012 before retiring from the board in 2019 after providing 50 years of service since his debut as a player, reports the Mirror. McLauchlan, who worked as a PE teacher, discovered he was going to earn his first international cap while teaching skiers in the Highlands. His international career spanned 10 years, culminating in his final Scotland appearance against New Zealand at Murrayfield in November 1979. The Lions official X account honoured the late Scottish rugby icon with a touching message, stating: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family of former Scotland captain, and British and Irish Lions great, Ian McLauchlan, who has passed away at the age of 83". McLauchlan was resident on Islay having left his home in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh to move to his wife, Eileen's birthplace. Eileen passed away in 2023 and McLauchlan endured challenges with his mobility in recent years. Graham Law penned a tribute highlighting McLauchlan as a 'trail-blazer, the first former pupil of Ayr Academy and first student of Jordanhill College to be capped for Scotland' with playing abilities 'ahead of his time'. "Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Ian McLauchlan's family and many friends," stated the obituary. "When we have details of his funeral service, we will update on our website." Stewart Weir, a trustee of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, shared personal memories: "Farewell Ian McLauchlan, 'Mighty Mouse,' Scotland and Lions legend. Party trick of lifting Kiwi and Boks tightheads off the ground in scrums or with uppercuts. Our Sunday morning conferences were never dull, and nothing surpassed one outrageous dinner in Cardiff. Rest easy". First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney said: "Very sorry to hear to the death of Ian McLauchlan. As a schoolboy I watched him play mesmerising rugby. "He gave a lifetime of service to the game, and motivated so many to make a contribution. My condolences to his family."
Fox Sports
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Former Scotland and Lions prop Ian McLauchlan, known in rugby world as 'Mighty Mouse,' dies at 83
Associated Press EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Ian McLauchlan, known throughout the rugby world as 'Mighty Mouse,' has died. He was 83. Scottish Rugby said it was 'immensely saddened to learn" of McLauchlan's death on Friday. Ayrshire-born McLauchlan won 43 caps for Scotland between 1969 and 1979, captaining the side 19 times. McLauchlan's legacy was cemented on the victorious Lions tours of New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974, being one of only five players to feature in all eight test matches. His only test try against New Zealand in June 1971, when he charged down an attempted All Blacks clearance to touch down in a 9-3 win, has passed into Lions folklore. McLauchlan was regularly able to burrow under heavier tight-head props and give his team a set-piece advantage at a time when scrums were much more prevalent in the game. "He was smaller than most props he came up against but I never saw anyone get the better of him," former Scotland and Lions teammate Andy Irvine told 'He was so tough, almost indestructible." After his playing career, McLauchlan, who had been a teacher in Edinburgh, spent a brief spell in rugby journalism before setting up his own marketing company. He served as a member of the Scottish Rugby Board from 2010 to 2019 and was president of the Scottish Rugby Union between 2010 and 2012. McLauchlan was also a director of European Professional Club Rugby and played a key role in the transition from the previous competitions overseen by ERC. Scottish Rugby said McLauchlan 'had to endure challenges around his mobility in recent years.' ___ AP rugby: in this topic
Winnipeg Free Press
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former Scotland and Lions prop Ian McLauchlan, known in rugby world as ‘Mighty Mouse,' dies at 83
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Ian McLauchlan, known throughout the rugby world as 'Mighty Mouse,' has died. He was 83. Scottish Rugby said it was 'immensely saddened to learn' of McLauchlan's death on Friday. Ayrshire-born McLauchlan won 43 caps for Scotland between 1969 and 1979, captaining the side 19 times. McLauchlan's legacy was cemented on the victorious Lions tours of New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974, being one of only five players to feature in all eight test matches. His only test try against New Zealand in June 1971, when he charged down an attempted All Blacks clearance to touch down in a 9-3 win, has passed into Lions folklore. McLauchlan was regularly able to burrow under heavier tight-head props and give his team a set-piece advantage at a time when scrums were much more prevalent in the game. 'He was smaller than most props he came up against but I never saw anyone get the better of him,' former Scotland and Lions teammate Andy Irvine told 'He was so tough, almost indestructible.' After his playing career, McLauchlan, who had been a teacher in Edinburgh, spent a brief spell in rugby journalism before setting up his own marketing company. He served as a member of the Scottish Rugby Board from 2010 to 2019 and was president of the Scottish Rugby Union between 2010 and 2012. McLauchlan was also a director of European Professional Club Rugby and played a key role in the transition from the previous competitions overseen by ERC. Scottish Rugby said McLauchlan 'had to endure challenges around his mobility in recent years.' ___ AP rugby:
Irish Examiner
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ian McLauchlan, Scotland and British & Irish Lions great, dies at 83
The former Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop Ian McLauchlan has died at the age of 83. The Ayrshire-born McLauchlan, who was known throughout the rugby world as Mighty Mouse, won 43 caps for Scotland between 1969 and 1979, captaining the side 19 times. McLauchlan's legacy was cemented on the victorious Lions tours of New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974, being one of only five players to feature in all eight Test matches. His only Test try against New Zealand in June 1971, when he charged down an attempted All Blacks clearance to touch down in a 9-3 win, has passed into Lions folklore. Weighing 14st 6lbs when he won his first cap, McLauchlan was regularly able to burrow under heavier tight-head props and give his team a set-piece advantage at a time when scrums were much more prevalent in the game. His former Scotland and Lions teammate Andy Irvine told the Scottish Rugby website: 'He was some character and some player. He was smaller than most props he came up against but I never saw anyone get the better of him. 'He was so tough, almost indestructible. What a fantastic career he had for Scotland and the Lions. It's very, very sad.' His only Test try against New Zealand in June 1971, when he charged down an attempted All Blacks clearance to touch down in a 9-3 win, has passed into Lions folklore. After his playing career McLauchlan, who had been a teacher in Edinburgh, spent a brief spell in rugby journalism before setting up his own marketing company. He served as a member of the Scottish Rugby Board from 2010 to 2019 and was president of the Scottish Rugby Union between 2010 and 2012. He was also awarded an OBE in the 2017 new year honours list. McLauchlan was also a director of European Professional Club Rugby and played a key role in the transition from the previous competitions overseen by ERC. Guardian
