93Mark Morrison
93

MarkMorrison

Forward
  • Date of Birth02 / 04 / 1877
  • Died10 / 05 / 1945
  • Lions Tours1903
  • International CapsScotland / Lions
  • Lions Origin SchoolsRoyal HS Edinburgh
  • Lions Origin ClubsGlasgow Warriors, Royal HS FP

The quote that best describes Mark Morrison was uttered by one of his South African adversaries, Jimmy Sinclair: “a real roughhouse of a man, and a great leader.”

In much the same vein as fellow 1903 Tour legend David Bedell-Sivwright, Morrison was a no-nonsense forward forged in Scotland and led the Lions with an infectious spirit.

Though victory was not to be his in South Africa as the Lions lost the Test series 1-0, Morrison made 19 appearances during the two-month Tour and scored a try against Witwatersrand.

A farmer by trade, Morrison held the Scotland record for most appearances by a captain – 15 – for a full 60 years.

And with good reason, too, as Morrison led Scotland to Home Nations Championship successes in 1901, 1903 and 1904 – unsurprisingly he has since been inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.