David Sole
David Michael Barclay Sole is a former Scotland international rugby union player.
He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1993 New Year Honours.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He was educated at Blairmore prep school and Glenalmond College, a private school in Perthshire.He went to Exeter University and played for their rugby side.
He played for Bath and then moved to play for Edinburgh Academicals.
Provincial career
He played for Scottish Exiles in the Scottish Inter-District Championship.When he moved to play for Edinburgh Academicals, he then turned out for Edinburgh District.
International career
While still with Exeter University rugby club he was capped by Scotland 'B'. He received 5 'B' caps in total.He made his full senior Scotland debut in 1986 against France and went on to win 44 caps at prop between 1986 and 1992, with a record 25 as captain. He was also the first choice loosehead prop with the victorious British Lions in Australia in 1989.
In 1990, Sole was captain for a Grand Slam decider at Murrayfield against hot favourites England. This is sometimes considered to be Scotland's greatest match, and one well remembered, as Richard Bath wrote:
Scotland won 13-7, denying England the Grand Slam and claiming their third Grand Slam after their previous triumphs in 1925 and 1984.
He captained a World XV to a victory against the All Blacks in 1992. He made his final international appearance for Scotland in 1992 against Australia. That year he stood for election as Rector of the University of Dundee, but despite being the favourite candidate he was defeated by Stephen Fry.