Tom Smith

Former Scotland and British & Irish Lions rugby international Tom Smith has died aged 50, after being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2019.

His achievements were recognized in November 2021 with an induction into the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame. Indeed, until the 2021 Lions Tour, he had been the last Scot to start a Lions Test match, having played in six successive Tests during 1997 and 2001. A hugely respected player, Tom will be greatly missed by everyone associated with rugby in Scotland and throughout the game.

Following the death of Tom Smith, features writer James While pays tribute to the great Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop. Here at Planet Rugby, we've always loved props. Rugby folklore is all about the big lads, the pint sinkers, the beer ...

He could be a link player but was still a solid servant in the scrums and lineouts. He returned to the UK in 2001, joining Northampton Saints and making 174 appearances during his eight-year spell at the club. “You could play a different kind of game when he was in the team. He played six consecutive Tests for the Lions, the only Scot to ever achieve that feat. Smith was one of those props that the game loved and embraced like few others. His skill was the thing I remember with Tom.

Following the death of Tom Smith, Planet Rugby features writer James While pays tribute to the great Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop.

He could be a link player but was still a solid servant in the scrums and lineouts. He returned to the UK in 2001, joining Northampton Saints and making 174 appearances during his eight-year spell at the club. “You could play a different kind of game when he was in the team. He played six consecutive Tests for the Lions, the only Scot to ever achieve that feat. Smith was one of those props that the game loved and embraced like few others. His skill was the thing I remember with Tom.

Smith was part of the iconic 1997 series-winning side before touring again four years later, becoming the only Scottish player to have played in six consecutive ...

“He succeeded in the most challenging of environments and kept up a high level of play well into his thirties. “He could be a link player but was still a solid servant in the scrums and lineouts. “He was never compromised when he had the ball in his hands.

The loosehead prop was regarded as one of the greatest Scotland players of all time and was part of the team that won the 1999 Five Nations Championship.

In that respect, he was ahead of his time and it was a large part of why he was such a prominent player for Scotland over an eight-year international career. The loosehead prop was regarded as one of the greatest Scotland players of all time and was part of the team that won the 1999 Five Nations Championship. Scotland and Lions great Tom Smith has passed away at the age of 50.

The Scottish rugby legend was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2019. He featured in all three Tests against South Africa in 1997 and against Australia ...

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Smith also won the Five Nations with Scotland in 1999. The Scottish rugby legend was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2019.

Smith, who was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in November 2019, also played for Glasgow Warriors, Caledonia Reds and Northampton. Scottish Rugby tweeted ...

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. RIP Tom." All our thoughts are with Tom's family and friends at this time."

Smith had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2019 and the news of his death was confirmed by Scottish Rugby on Wednesday evening. Scottish Rugby announce ...

He could be a link player but was still a solid servant in the scrums and lineouts. Smith represented Scotland during an eight-year international career and also had the honour of captaining them. “You could play a different kind of game when he was in the team. “He was never compromised when he had the ball in his hands. “He was a rugby player first and a prop second,” Telfer said. ‘Scotland & @lionsofficial prop Tom Smith sadly passed away earlier today aged 50,’ the organisation said in a social media post.

The loosehead, described by Sir Ian McGeechan as 'the greatest Scot of the professional era to date', was diagnosed with cancer in 2019.

He was one of the very best, as a person, as a friend and as a player. Emerging as a player at the start of professionalism, Smith first joined Caledonia Reds in 1996 before playing for Glasgow Warriors, Brive and finally Northampton Saints, where he spent eight seasons making 174 appearances for the club and scoring 10 tries. A quiet but lovely man who was a hell of a player". He succeeded in the most challenging of environments and kept up a high level of play well into his 30s. "Tom also did a tremendous amount for charitable causes and was a great family man. He didn’t fit the traditional role as a rugby player but showed that all shapes and sizes can shine on the International stage.

Smith was a member of Scotland's last Five Nations-winning side of 1999 and part of the successful British and Irish Lions squad of 1997.

But Smith was not just about the grunt and shunt. “You find out about survival the hard way,” said Smith in a 2009 interview. He had longevity, too. And for good reason given the height his deeds took him to. But when he did speak, the respect was instantaneous. “There were times when it was pretty tough and cold out here but at the end of the day rugby is a hard game and you need to be tough to play it,” he said.