During his career he played for St Luke's College, RAF, Combined Services, Percy Park, Wasps and Northumberland.
During that time Rutherford won his first four caps for England in the 1960 Five Nations tournament and appeared against South Africa at Twickenham in January 1961.
During his period at Gloucester, he was appointed as senior master in charge of PE, rugby and swimming at Wycliffe College in nearby Stonehouse.
While with Gloucester, Don Rutherford introduced a coaching creed that was continued in the successful years that followed under the captaincy of Dick Smith.
[citation needed] He was made Director of Rugby and built up a nationwide structure, starting with mini-rugby through to the national team, providing a stream of playing talent.