A Full Back Slower Than Your Average Prop

Listed as one of the five worst international selections ever, and described in a book about Scottish rugby as 'a full back slower than your average prop', Ian Smith cheerfully won eight caps for Scotland in a career that saw him score every point for his team on his debut in an historic victory over South Africa (and in so doing became the first Scottish full back to score a Test try) and defeated a star-studded England team to lift the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield in the 1970 Five Nations.

One of eight international full backs to have come out of Heriot's FP, Smith also played for a dashing, innovative Edinburgh University side that revolutionised attacking back play. But this book is so much more than a story of a fleeting Test career. It is a window to another time, when a player could appear, as Smith did, for his club's third XV and two weeks later make his international debut for his country. And then, eight Tests later, return to his club where he was only considered good enough to play for the second XV.

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A Full Back Slower Than Your Average Prop

Listed as one of the five worst international selections ever, and described in a book about Scottish rugby as 'a full back slower than your average prop', Ian Smith cheerfully won eight caps for Scotland in a career that saw him score every point for his team on his debut in an historic victory over South Africa (and in so doing became the first Scottish full back to score a Test try) and defeated a star-studded England team to lift the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield in the 1970 Five Nations.

One of eight international full backs to have come out of Heriot's FP, Smith also played for a dashing, innovative Edinburgh University side that revolutionised attacking back play. But this book is so much more than a story of a fleeting Test career. It is a window to another time, when a player could appear, as Smith did, for his club's third XV and two weeks later make his international debut for his country. And then, eight Tests later, return to his club where he was only considered good enough to play for the second XV.

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A Full Back Slower Than Your Average Prop

A Full Back Slower Than Your Average Prop

by Ian Smith
A Full Back Slower Than Your Average Prop
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A Full Back Slower Than Your Average Prop

A Full Back Slower Than Your Average Prop

by Ian Smith

Overview

Listed as one of the five worst international selections ever, and described in a book about Scottish rugby as 'a full back slower than your average prop', Ian Smith cheerfully won eight caps for Scotland in a career that saw him score every point for his team on his debut in an historic victory over South Africa (and in so doing became the first Scottish full back to score a Test try) and defeated a star-studded England team to lift the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield in the 1970 Five Nations.

One of eight international full backs to have come out of Heriot's FP, Smith also played for a dashing, innovative Edinburgh University side that revolutionised attacking back play. But this book is so much more than a story of a fleeting Test career. It is a window to another time, when a player could appear, as Smith did, for his club's third XV and two weeks later make his international debut for his country. And then, eight Tests later, return to his club where he was only considered good enough to play for the second XV.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781788851824
Publisher: Birlinn, Limited
Publication date: 12/10/2019
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 336
File size: 12 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

<strong>Ian Smith</strong> was born and brought up in Edinburgh where he was educated at Heriot's and the University of Edinburgh before joining the army and later setting up his own dental practice. He played eight Tests for Scotland from 1969 to 1970. He lives in Norfolk. 


Ian Smith was born and brought up in Edinburgh where he was educated at Heriot’s and the University of Edinburgh before joining the army and later setting up his own dental practice. He played nine Tests for Scotland from 1969 to 1970. He lives in Norfolk. 

Table of Contents

Prologue: The Magic v

Introduction: I'm sorry to tell you that David Boyd has died vii

1 Mine 1

2 Murder Ball 8

3 The legend of Billy McCosh 19

4 You are too small to be a centre. We want you to play full back 23

5 Now do that with your right foot 32

6 You have to be a lot quicker if this is going to work 46

7 I told him, 'If you do that again I'm going to kick your fucking head in' 61

8 What do you mean you dropped fourteen bails? 70

9 Ian Smith had better play for Scotland after all the trouble he's caused me 79

10 Just give me the one chance to show how good I can be 112

11 But who are you? 122

12 Gie's us fire and fucking fury 132

13 If they could take international caps away 142

14 I believe you are playing for Scotland against Wales this afternoon. Well, your wife has just had a son 149

15 Ian Smith, has never been tested under the high ball and Shackleton the England by half will certainly test him on Saturday 157

16 You are too fat and idle to play at this level 164

17 We thought Ian very lucky to get his cap last year - but now think he is worth it 170

18 You're in the 2nds next Saturday 180

19 You'll be posted home for not aiding the civilian population 184

20 The Irish Guards don't play rugby 193

21 We do not sit over there 211

22 I'd like you to accompany me to the police station 219

23 He's too dirty to play for Newport, so we have to pick him 223

24 The final whistle 226

Afterword: View from the clubhouse 232

Postscript: Teams 240

Acknowledgements 243

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