Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland internationalist and senior Scottish Rugby Union past president Donny Innes.  He was 94.

Dr John Robert Stephen Innes (Aberdeen Grammar School FP), known to all and sundry as Donny, played eight internationals – three in the 1939 championship, and five in 1947-48 season (v Australia in November and then all four in the championship - captain in all five). He was centre in six of his caps, and right wing in two and was one of a rare breed of player, capped before and after the Second World War.

His first cap was as a centre against Wales at Cardiff in 1939, among six new caps. He moved out to the wing for the Lansdowne Road match three weeks later, and it was there that he scored his only capped international try.

Scotland won only two of his eight internationals – 9-8 against France at Murrayfield in 1948, his second match as captain, and 6-3 against England at Murrayfield later that year, when he also led the team to Calcutta Cup victory. The former was Scotland’s first post-war win after a championship whitewash (without Donny) in 1947 and then the defeat by the Wallabies.

An officer in the RAMC, he also played in five Services Internationals during the war scoring three tries in these games, two in the 1943 match against England at Leicester. He also played in one Victory International – against England at Twickenham in March 1946.

As an administrator, Donny was President of the Scottish Rugby Union in season 1973-74 and was a regular at Murrayfield international matches well into his 90s. He passed away at home in Aberdeen on Saturday.

Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Donny Innes’s family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Queens Cross Church in Aberdeen at a later date for all those who wish to attend.