World of Boxing and Rugby Union
Full back
4. Gavin Hastings
Apart from Andy Irvine, unquestionably Gavin Hastings is the best Scottish fullback ever and one of the best ever throughout the world.
Irvine was perhaps the more complete footballer, lethal on the wing as well as when attacking from number 15; Hastings conventionally more the model full-back.
Solid beneath the high ball, a powerful runner coming into the line, strong of both physique and tackle, and accurate in his kicking off the ground or out of hand, the London Scottish back was a key influence on two Lions tours, captaining the side to New Zealand in 1993.
Gavin and Scott Hastings made history in Australia in 1989 by becoming the first brothers to appear in the same Lions team and the family pairing played a pivotal role in the match that tipped the series the tourists' way.
The Lions won the second Test against the Wallabies to square the series, with Gavin Hastings scoring
the try that gave them the lead for the first time with fewer than five minutes to play. Brother Scott's pass reached him on the bounce rather than the full, but Gavin collected, sold a dummy and handed off David Campese to score.
The try was pure instinct - Hastings had been concussed early in the half and had to watch a television replay after the match to find out how he had scored. Four years later, Hastings ' continued success with Scotland earned him the Lions captaincy ahead of England 's Will Carling.
The Lions lost the series against the All Blacks 2-1 but Hastings again top-scored, following his 66 points in 1989 with 101 this time round, and earned the respect of New Zealand judges.
He kicked all the Lions' points in the first Test only to see his team lose 20-18 to a controversial last-minute penalty and struck another 12 points in the second as the tourists recorded their biggest victory over New Zealand , despite carrying a damaged hamstring into the match. The fact coach Ian McGeechan insisted he play through that injury was an accurate measure of Hastings ' importance to his team.
Statistics can be misleading, but in Hastings' case they simply remind us of his prolific career: record points scorer for the Lions in tests, second leading points scorer for Scotland and second leading points scorer in Rugby World Cups.
Modest and self-deprecating, Hastings is an unquestioned great of the game who epitomised the role of the modern full-back.