How 'force of energy & positivity' Hastings left indelible mark on rugby

Hastings had been a wonderful rugby player, a powerhouse, a centre with strength and ferocious will. He made his debut for Scotland in 1986 alongside his older brother, Gavin. He won 65 caps in 11 years. For a period he was the most capped Scottish player of all time, something he may have reminded his sibling of on occasion. Gavin was the celebrated goalkicker and captain, the leader of the British and Irish Lions in 1993 and a player of world stature. Scott may not have resonated with foreign audiences in the same way but everybody knew his vast importance to Scotland in a golden era. In 1989 he became not just a Lion in Australia but a Test Lion, a key cog in Ian McGeechan's side as they came from 1-0 down in the series to win 2-1. The Wallabies were an incredible unit back then. The Lions had to fight the infamous Battle of Ballymore on their way to glory. Hastings used to revel in retelling the story of the melees that broke out that day. He had a perfect ringside seat, he said. Far removed from the violence, which wasn't for pretty boys like him. He had a wonderful self-deprecating humour but when game-day came he was like a man possessed. The greatest moment of his illustrious career was on 17 March 1990, when he was part of McGeechan's and Jim Telfer's Grand Slam-winning team against England at Murrayfield. It remains the last Scottish Grand Slam. …