[2] Richard Bath points out that Dickinson's appointment made an "immediate impact" in performance, leading to a one-point loss (18-17) to a "rampant Wales side" and wins against England and others.
But he got on with it and earned the players' respect by his craft, wide tactical knowledge, unfettered enthusiasm and far-sightedness.
He created one of the most formidable Scottish packs of all time comprising Ian McLauchlan, Quintin Dunlop or Bobby Clark, Sandy Carmichael, Alastair McHarg, Gordon Brown, Nairn McEwan, Peter Brown and Rodger Arneil.
", and was horrified to learn that his boast of scoring a try for Hillhead High School FP against Hawick was real.
He was fired by the SRU in 1977, and succeeded by Nairn McEwan, a surprise choice and not a statistically successful one.