Gordon Masson

[4] Masson played for an Aberdeen Select XV against the Scottish Exiles in a Christmas tie in 1959.

He told Nicholas Shehadie of Australia in 'no uncertain terms that rugby was their game and they didn't need us; a World Cup would be staged over his dead body.'

New Zealand, England, Wales, Australia and France voted in favour and the World Cup thus began.

They feared - correctly - that the creation of a Rugby World Cup would lead to professionalism in the sport.

[1][11] As part of his duties as president, he had to escort Princess Anne unto the pitch at Murrayfield Stadium in the 1991 World Cup.