Calder
Finlay Calder is a former Scotland international and was one of the world’s best flankers during the 1980s.
Finlay Calder Bio
Finlay Calder is a former Scotland international who was one of the world’s top flankers in the 1980s. He also captained the British and Irish Lions on their 1989 tour of Australia. Finlay Calder was inducted into the RugbyPass Hall of Fame in 2021.
Born 20 August 1957, Finlay Calder began playing rugby at a young age. In his amateur career, he represented both Stewart’s Melville and Heriots.
After showing his obvious prowess for both sides, Finlay Calder then began to play for Edinburgh District at the provincial level. He used this as a great opportunity to showcase his skills, and he won the 1986-87 Scottish Inter-District Championship with the side.
However, although he enjoyed a prolific career with a number of Scotland’s best domestic sides, he saved his best performances for the international stage. After receiving two caps for Scotland ‘B’ in 1984, Finlay Calder was first called up to represent Scotland in 1986. He then continued to represent the national side until 1991, receiving 34 caps in the process.
Although he was perceived as being slow for a flanker, he silenced his critics in a Scotland shirt and became one of the most effective flankers of his generation. As a result, Finlay Calder helped Scotland capture the Five Nations Grand Slam in 1990 and played at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, where Scotland reached the semi-final.
Thanks to his impressive performances for Scotland, Finlay Calder was also called up to represent the British and Irish Lions on their 1989 tour of Australia. He then played in all three tests in the series, captaining a victorious Lions team.
Since retiring from rugby, Finlay Calder has been inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame. He was also appointed as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1990. Today, he works as a guest speaker.
