The University of Edinburgh has taken receipt of the bespoke, hand-crafted bronze designed to commemorate a former student entering Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame  - David Revell Bedell-Sivright made his Scotland debut against Wales in 1900 and went on to win 22 caps. 

Photo: (left) Edinburgh University RFC President Bobby Frazer, Edinburgh University RFC player James Morrison (brother of internationalist Graeme), Scottish Rugby Board member Jock Millican and Director of Sport & Exercise at University of Edinburgh Jim Aitken, with the award at the University’s Peffermill playing fields in Edinburgh.

He was a pioneer of the wing forward role and remains the only Scot to play in three Triple Crown winning sides (1901, 1903 and 1907).  He was the only player to tour with the British Isles sides of both 1903 and 1904, captaining the latter tour at the age of 23. He was also chosen to captain Scotland. 

Bedell-Sivright was a remarkable figure.  He was known as the hardest man to ever play for Scotland and legend has it after one international he rugby tackled a cart horse in Princes Street Edinburgh.

On retiring from international rugby he turned to boxing and became Scottish heavyweight amateur champion in 1909. He was, despite his formidable sporting prowess, a surgeon by profession, having studied medicine at Edinburgh. 

He died on active service at Gallipoli during the First World War at the age of just 34.

Jock Millican, board member of Scottish Rugby, earned his three caps for Scotland while playing for University of Edinburgh Rugby Club – the last man to manage such a feat.

On presenting the award he said: “It’s a great privilege to have the connection with the University – as a past player, captain and president – and to be able to present this award to them.

“We’re unlikely to ever see a time again when one man can accomplish quite so much in such a short space of time.  It is fitting that David Bedell-Sivright is recognised not only by Scottish Rugby’s Hall of Fame but by Edinburgh University in front of this generation of student players.”

Accepting the award on behalf of the University of Edinburgh, its Director of Sport & Exercise Jim Aitken said: “Without doubt Bedell-Sivright was one of the great rugby heroes of the University. We have two rugby players in the University of Edinburgh Sporting Hall of Fame – Andy Irvine and Gregor Townsend – and this is a fitting addition.

“This award will take pride of place in the club house where many of today’s University players will be able to see it and remember his contribution to the game.”

Scottish Rugby’s inaugural Hall of Fame took place in November 2010 with the induction of 12 iconic personalities:
David Bedell-Sivright
GPS Macpherson
Ken Scotland
Sandy Carmichael
Andy Irvine
Finlay Calder
Gavin Hastings
Ian McGeechan
Ned Haig
Bill McLaren
Jim Telfer
Gordon Brown

The next Hall of Fame induction is due to take place in 2012.