Chris Paterson
Encyclopedia
Chris Paterson is a Scotland
internationalist who plays for RaboDirect Pro12
side Edinburgh Rugby. He is Scotland
’s record cap and points holder with 109 caps and 809 points. Paterson is capable in a range of positions, including fullback, wing and fly-half. In recent years Paterson has played the majority of his rugby as fullback. He is a firm favourite with Scotland
fans due to his unwavering commitment to his country.
, the highlight being a solo try that won Gala the 1999 Scottish Cup at Murrayfield
. Soon after Paterson turned professional by signing for Glasgow
where he played only two games before signing for Edinburgh Rugby. In becoming a professional player he dropped out from Edinburgh University where he was studying to become a PE teacher.
With the ongoing dispute between the SRU and then Edinburgh Rugby owner Bob Carruthers over the refusal to release Edinburgh players for a pre 2007 World Cup training camp, Paterson left Edinburgh for Gloucester
by mutual consent. On the 24th July 2007 Paterson signed a 3 year contract with Gloucester
was largely disappointing due to limited game time throughout the 2007/08 season. It was announced on 2 May 2008 that Paterson would return to Edinburgh Rugby for the 2008/09 season
He played 14 games during his stay scoring 38 points, the highlight being a 50m breakaway try in the derby game against Bath
One of Paterson’s main assets, his kicking was evident in Edinburgh Rugby's last home game of the 2008/09 Magners League season which saw a 43–3 home win against Newport Gwent Dragons
on 9 May 2009. Paterson scored 28 points, kicking nine from nine with five penalties, four conversions and a try.
As of 16 September 2011 Paterson is currently 5th highest points scorer in RaboDirect Pro12
history with 773 points (20T 113C 4D 145P)
against Spain
in the 1999 Rugby World Cup
as a fullback. This was his only appearance during the 1999 World Cup. Scotland went on to reach the quarter finals before losing 30-18 to New Zealand.
In his next appearance during the 2000 Six Nations Championship
game versus France
, Paterson scored his first points for Scotland converting two penalties and a conversion in the 16- 28 loss. Later that year Paterson scored his first Scotland try during the 2000 tour of New Zealand
during the 48-14 loss at Eden Park
, Auckland
.
During the subsequent years Paterson became a fixture in the Scotland
team. His consistent performance for club and country earned him a place in Scotland’s 2003 Rugby World Cup
squad.
During Scotland’s opening 2003 Rugby World Cup
game Paterson scored 2 tries and kicked a conversion and a penalty during a 32-11 win against Japan
. In the next game against the United States
Paterson scored 19 points, including a try, during a 39-15 win. Paterson played in the subsequent win and loss against Fiji
and France
to help Scotland qualify for the quarter final stage. In the 2003 Rugby World Cup#Quarter-finalsScotland lost 33-16 to Australia
at Lang Park, Brisbane
Paterson scored 71 points during the 2003 Rugby World Cup
.
On 15 November 2004 during Scotland's record 100-8 win
over Japan
game at McDiarmid Park
, Perth
he overtook Andy Irvine
to become Scotland's second highest points scorer, behind Gavin Hastings
. He scored 40 points (three tries, 11 conversions and one penalty). This remains a record points haul for a Scottish player in a test match.
Two weeks later on the 27th November 2004 against South Africa
he became the youngest, and lightest, Scottish player ever to earn 50 caps, aged 26, and weighing in at 78 kg.
On 26 February 2005, Paterson equalled the scoring record set by Gavin Hastings
for one game of six penalties converted in the 18–13 win over Italy
. Paterson was the BBC's full-back of the 2005 Six Nations Championship
.
As a result of his incredibly reliable kicking and elusive running from full-back during the 2005 Six Nations Championship
, especially in the Calcutta Cup
game, Paterson's omission from Clive Woodward
's squad for the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
surprised many critics and fans alike. This was to fuelled criticism that Woodward had placed too much reliance upon his England team who won the 2003 Rugby World Cup
. Ultimately, Woodward’s 2005 Lions were unsuccessful losing the test series 3-0.
Paterson played as part of a resurgent Scotland team of the 2006 Six Nations Championship
who recorded wins over France
, England
& Italy
to finish 3rd in the table. This remains Scotland’s best finish since the 5 Nations became the 6 Nations with the addition of Italy in 2000.
Paterson was captain during the 2007 Six Nations Championship
as Jason White was injured.
Paterson was picked in Scotland’s 2007 Rugby World Cup
squad. This his 3rd World Cup campaign. Similarly, with the previous two in 1999 & 2003 Scotland exited in the quarter final stage losing 19-13 to Argentina
at the Stade de France
, Saint-Denis
. Paterson played in played in all 5 of Scotland
’s games scoring 46 points.
On 9 February 2008, Paterson earned his 83rd cap for Scotland against Wales
, passing the record of Gregor Townsend
for a Scottish back. Scotland then went on to lose this match.
Later that year on 14 June 2008 he won his 88th cap to break Scott Murray's
Scotland appearance record and was named man of the match in Scotland's 26–14 victory over Argentina
in Buenos Aires
.
During the 2009 Autumn International against Australia
, Paterson scored the winning points in Scotland's historic 9-8 win. This was Scotland’s first win over Australia for 27 years.
On 7 February 2010, Paterson won his 99th cap in Scotland's opening 2010 Six Nations Championship
match against France
.
On Saturday 13 February 2010 at the Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff
, Paterson became the first player to reach 100 caps for Scotland when he played in the defeat against Wales
. In the same game Paterson was seriously injured, suffering a split kidney which forced him to miss the rest of the season. In the same game Rory Lamont
suffered cruciate ligament damage which ended his season, and Thom Evans
suffered a potentially life threatening neck injury in a collision with Lee Byrne
. This injury forced Evans to retire from rugby aged just 25.
Later that year on Saturday 20 November 2010 Paterson gained his 101st cap in a 21-17 win against current world champions, South Africa
, at Murrayfield
coming on for the final 8 minutes. Along with Nikki Walker
and Nathan Hines
, he was one of three players in that match who had also been in the Scotland team that beat South Africa in 2002.
During the 2011 Six Nations Championship
Paterson was the 23rd man in the squad when he travelled to Paris
but played no part. Following Scotland's poor defeat to Wales
in the second game of the tournament, Paterson was recalled to the starting 15 for the Ireland
, England
and Italy
games. In addition to scoring 31 points with the boot in these three matches he justified his inclusion with an impressive try-saving tackle on Ben Foden
, when the England Fullback seemed certain to score. This helped to keep Scotland in with a chance of winning the game until the last few minutes, although they eventually lost 22-16. The following week he made an almost identical try-saving tackle against Luke McLean
during Scotland's 21-8 victory over Italy
. In the latter match, Paterson also became only the fifth player to score more than 400 points in the history of the Five/Six Nations Tournament
.
Testament to Paterson’s committed performances during the 2011 Six Nations Championship
he featured in several rugby journalists ‘Team of the Championship’
On the 22 August 2011 Paterson was selected in Scotland
's 2011 Rugby World Cup
squad meaning this would be in 4th Rugby World Cup
.
Paterson scored 14 points in Scotland's opening game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup
in the 34-24 victory over Romania
In Scotland's second pool game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup
during the 15-6 victory over Georgia
Paterson made a substitute appearance in the 70th minute his 13th World Cup appearance one short of Doddie Weir's record of 14 World Cup appearances.
’s and Edinburgh Rugby’s goal kicker during 2003 Paterson has amassed 1860 points.
He successfully kicked 36 consecutive goals for Scotland
between 11 August 2007 and 7 June 2008, not missing a single attempt during the 2007 Rugby World Cup
or the 2008 Six Nations Championship
. This run was brought to an end during the 7 June 2008 Test against Argentina
. This is believed to have been a world record for consecutive successful kicks at goal in Test play since such statistics were first kept in the late 1980s; this record was broken in 2010 by Morné Steyn
of South Africa
. During the aforementioned Argentina match, Paterson also overtook Gavin Hastings
' long standing Scotland points record of 667, as well as equalling Scott Murray's record of 87 caps for Scotland.
As of October 1, 2011 he has scored 809 points for Scotland
(22 Tries, 90 Conversions, 170 Penalties and 3 drop goals).
For Edinburgh Rugby Paterson has amassed 773 points (20T 113C 4D 145P) in the RaboDirect Pro12
and 287 points (9T,40C,0D,54P)in the Heineken Cup
along with Thom Evans
, MacSween Haggis
used him to front a new product range
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
internationalist who plays for RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
side Edinburgh Rugby. He is Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
’s record cap and points holder with 109 caps and 809 points. Paterson is capable in a range of positions, including fullback, wing and fly-half. In recent years Paterson has played the majority of his rugby as fullback. He is a firm favourite with Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
fans due to his unwavering commitment to his country.
Early career
Paterson started his rugby career with hometown club GalaGala RFC
Gala Rugby Football Club are a rugby union team based in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, founded in 1875, they play their home games at Netherdale....
, the highlight being a solo try that won Gala the 1999 Scottish Cup at Murrayfield
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
. Soon after Paterson turned professional by signing for Glasgow
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
where he played only two games before signing for Edinburgh Rugby. In becoming a professional player he dropped out from Edinburgh University where he was studying to become a PE teacher.
Edinburgh
From 2000-2002 Paterson played in the Magners League predecessor competition the Scottish/Welsh League (prior to the addition of Irish teams). He was part of the Edinburgh squad that reached the Heineken cup quarter finals in 2003/2004. For seven years he was a mainstay of the Edinburgh squad.With the ongoing dispute between the SRU and then Edinburgh Rugby owner Bob Carruthers over the refusal to release Edinburgh players for a pre 2007 World Cup training camp, Paterson left Edinburgh for Gloucester
Gloucester RFC
Gloucester Rugby are a professional English rugby union club situated in the west country city of Gloucester. The club plays in the domestic Aviva Premiership...
by mutual consent. On the 24th July 2007 Paterson signed a 3 year contract with Gloucester
Gloucester RFC
Gloucester Rugby are a professional English rugby union club situated in the west country city of Gloucester. The club plays in the domestic Aviva Premiership...
Gloucester
His spell with GloucesterGloucester RFC
Gloucester Rugby are a professional English rugby union club situated in the west country city of Gloucester. The club plays in the domestic Aviva Premiership...
was largely disappointing due to limited game time throughout the 2007/08 season. It was announced on 2 May 2008 that Paterson would return to Edinburgh Rugby for the 2008/09 season
He played 14 games during his stay scoring 38 points, the highlight being a 50m breakaway try in the derby game against Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
Edinburgh
Paterson re-signed for Edinburgh Rugby in and has remained a fixture in the line up ever since.One of Paterson’s main assets, his kicking was evident in Edinburgh Rugby's last home game of the 2008/09 Magners League season which saw a 43–3 home win against Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
on 9 May 2009. Paterson scored 28 points, kicking nine from nine with five penalties, four conversions and a try.
As of 16 September 2011 Paterson is currently 5th highest points scorer in RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
history with 773 points (20T 113C 4D 145P)
International career
Paterson earned his first cap for ScotlandScotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
against Spain
Spain national rugby union team
The Spain national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Spain, representing them at rugby union. Spain have been playing rugby since the late 1920s, playing their first international against Italy in 1929. They have qualified for one Rugby World Cup, in 1999 where they were pooled with...
in the 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
as a fullback. This was his only appearance during the 1999 World Cup. Scotland went on to reach the quarter finals before losing 30-18 to New Zealand.
In his next appearance during the 2000 Six Nations Championship
2000 Six Nations Championship
The 2000 Six Nations Championship was the first series of the Six Nations Championship, following the inclusion of Italy into the Five Nations championship. Including the previous incarnations as the Home Nations and Five Nations, this was the hundred-and-sixth series of the northern hemisphere...
game versus France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
, Paterson scored his first points for Scotland converting two penalties and a conversion in the 16- 28 loss. Later that year Paterson scored his first Scotland try during the 2000 tour of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
during the 48-14 loss at Eden Park
Eden Park
Eden Park is the biggest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer . The ground also occasionally hostts rugby league matches. To accommodate all three sports, the cricket pitch is removable...
, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
During the subsequent years Paterson became a fixture in the Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
team. His consistent performance for club and country earned him a place in Scotland’s 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
squad.
During Scotland’s opening 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
game Paterson scored 2 tries and kicked a conversion and a penalty during a 32-11 win against Japan
Japan national rugby union team
The Japan national rugby union team represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years...
. In the next game against the United States
United States national rugby union team
USA Rugby's men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The Eagles are currently ranked 17th by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from November 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position...
Paterson scored 19 points, including a try, during a 39-15 win. Paterson played in the subsequent win and loss against Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
and France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
to help Scotland qualify for the quarter final stage. In the 2003 Rugby World Cup#Quarter-finalsScotland lost 33-16 to Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
at Lang Park, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
Paterson scored 71 points during the 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
.
On 15 November 2004 during Scotland's record 100-8 win
over Japan
Japan national rugby union team
The Japan national rugby union team represent Japan in international rugby union competitions. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia but has both enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years...
game at McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park is a football stadium in Perth, Scotland, the home ground of St. Johnstone FC. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.-History:...
, Perth
Perth
Perth may refer to:* Perth, Scotland, the administrative centre of the Perth and Kinross council area * Perth, Western Australia, the capital of Western AustraliaPerth may also refer to:-Places:...
he overtook Andy Irvine
Andy Irvine (rugby player)
Andrew Robertson "Andy" Irvine MBE is a former President of the Scottish Rugby Union , and a former Scottish international rugby player. He earned fifty one Scottish caps, and scored over 250 points for .-Background:...
to become Scotland's second highest points scorer, behind Gavin Hastings
Gavin Hastings
Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a former Scotland rugby union player. He is frequently considered one of the best, if not the best, rugby player to come out of Scotland. His nickname is "Big Gav".Hastings was born in Edinburgh...
. He scored 40 points (three tries, 11 conversions and one penalty). This remains a record points haul for a Scottish player in a test match.
Two weeks later on the 27th November 2004 against South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
he became the youngest, and lightest, Scottish player ever to earn 50 caps, aged 26, and weighing in at 78 kg.
On 26 February 2005, Paterson equalled the scoring record set by Gavin Hastings
Gavin Hastings
Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a former Scotland rugby union player. He is frequently considered one of the best, if not the best, rugby player to come out of Scotland. His nickname is "Big Gav".Hastings was born in Edinburgh...
for one game of six penalties converted in the 18–13 win over Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
. Paterson was the BBC's full-back of the 2005 Six Nations Championship
2005 Six Nations Championship
The 2005 RBS 6 Nations Championship was the sixth series of the Six Nations Championship to be held since the competition expanded in 2000 to include Italy...
.
As a result of his incredibly reliable kicking and elusive running from full-back during the 2005 Six Nations Championship
2005 Six Nations Championship
The 2005 RBS 6 Nations Championship was the sixth series of the Six Nations Championship to be held since the competition expanded in 2000 to include Italy...
, especially in the Calcutta Cup
Calcutta Cup
The Calcutta Cup is a rugby union trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Six Nations Championship match between England and Scotland. It is currently England's since the 2009 Six Nations Championship....
game, Paterson's omission from Clive Woodward
Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Ronald Woodward OBE is an English former rugby union player and coach. He was coach of the team from 1997 to 2004, managing them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently the British Olympic Association's Director of Elite Performance.-Early life:Woodward was born in Ely...
's squad for the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
In 2005 the British and Irish Lions rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993, playing 7 tour matches against first and second division clubs from the National Provincial Championship series, 1 tour match against the national New Zealand all Māori club, and 3 official test...
surprised many critics and fans alike. This was to fuelled criticism that Woodward had placed too much reliance upon his England team who won the 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
. Ultimately, Woodward’s 2005 Lions were unsuccessful losing the test series 3-0.
Paterson played as part of a resurgent Scotland team of the 2006 Six Nations Championship
2006 Six Nations Championship
The 2006 RBS 6 Nations Championship was the seventh series of the rugby union Six Nations Championship to be held since the competition expanded in 2000 to include Italy...
who recorded wins over France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
, England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
& Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
to finish 3rd in the table. This remains Scotland’s best finish since the 5 Nations became the 6 Nations with the addition of Italy in 2000.
Paterson was captain during the 2007 Six Nations Championship
2007 Six Nations Championship
The 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship was the eighth series of the rugby union Six Nations Championship. Including the previous incarnations as the Home Nations and Five Nations, this was the 113th series of the northern hemisphere rugby union championship...
as Jason White was injured.
Paterson was picked in Scotland’s 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
squad. This his 3rd World Cup campaign. Similarly, with the previous two in 1999 & 2003 Scotland exited in the quarter final stage losing 19-13 to Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
at the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
, Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Saint-Denis is a sous-préfecture of the Seine-Saint-Denis département, being the seat of the Arrondissement of Saint-Denis....
. Paterson played in played in all 5 of Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
’s games scoring 46 points.
On 9 February 2008, Paterson earned his 83rd cap for Scotland against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
, passing the record of Gregor Townsend
Gregor Townsend
Gregor Peter John Townsend MBE is a former Scottish rugby union player who played at fly-half, full back and latterly centre....
for a Scottish back. Scotland then went on to lose this match.
Later that year on 14 June 2008 he won his 88th cap to break Scott Murray's
Scott Murray
Scott Murray is a rugby union player who plays at lock for Castres and formerly Scotland. He was at one time the record caps holder for Scotland having represented them on 87 occasions, five of which as captain and playing at three World Cups...
Scotland appearance record and was named man of the match in Scotland's 26–14 victory over Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
.
During the 2009 Autumn International against Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
, Paterson scored the winning points in Scotland's historic 9-8 win. This was Scotland’s first win over Australia for 27 years.
On 7 February 2010, Paterson won his 99th cap in Scotland's opening 2010 Six Nations Championship
2010 Six Nations Championship
The 2010 Six Nations Championship, known as the 2010 RBS 6 Nations due to the tournament's sponsorship by the Royal Bank of Scotland, was the 11th series of the Six Nations Championship, an annual rugby union competition between the six major Northern Hemisphere rugby union national teams...
match against France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
.
On Saturday 13 February 2010 at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Paterson became the first player to reach 100 caps for Scotland when he played in the defeat against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
. In the same game Paterson was seriously injured, suffering a split kidney which forced him to miss the rest of the season. In the same game Rory Lamont
Rory Lamont
Rory Lamont is a rugby union player who plays fullback and on the wing most recently he played for RC Toulon and currently for the Scotland. Rory is the younger brother of Sean Lamont.- Club career :...
suffered cruciate ligament damage which ended his season, and Thom Evans
Thom Evans
Thom Evans is a former Scottish international rugby union player. He last played on the wingfor Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League. His rugby career ended aged 24 on his 10th appearance for Scotland when he incurred a serious neck injury.-Career:Evans was educated at Wellington College,...
suffered a potentially life threatening neck injury in a collision with Lee Byrne
Lee Byrne
Lee Martin Byrne is a Welsh international rugby union rugby player, who plays for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14 and Heineken Cup...
. This injury forced Evans to retire from rugby aged just 25.
Later that year on Saturday 20 November 2010 Paterson gained his 101st cap in a 21-17 win against current world champions, South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
, at Murrayfield
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
coming on for the final 8 minutes. Along with Nikki Walker
Nikki Walker
Nikki Walker is a rugby union footballer who plays on the wing for the Ospreys and Scotland. Walker has cemented a regular starting place with The Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium. He and opposite-wing Shane Williams have created an exciting "Little and Large" combination that utilises their...
and Nathan Hines
Nathan Hines
Nathan Hines is an Australian-born Scottish rugby player. He currently plays for ASM Clermont Auvergne...
, he was one of three players in that match who had also been in the Scotland team that beat South Africa in 2002.
During the 2011 Six Nations Championship
2011 Six Nations Championship
The 2011 Six Nations Championship, known as the 2011 RBS 6 Nations due to the tournament's sponsorship by the Royal Bank of Scotland, was the 12th series of the Six Nations Championship. The annual northern hemisphere rugby union championship was contested by England, France, Ireland, Italy,...
Paterson was the 23rd man in the squad when he travelled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
but played no part. Following Scotland's poor defeat to Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
in the second game of the tournament, Paterson was recalled to the starting 15 for the Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
, England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
and Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
games. In addition to scoring 31 points with the boot in these three matches he justified his inclusion with an impressive try-saving tackle on Ben Foden
Ben Foden
Benjamin Foden is a rugby union footballer who plays for Northampton Saints and England. He plays at fullback or scrum-half, but can also operate on the wing...
, when the England Fullback seemed certain to score. This helped to keep Scotland in with a chance of winning the game until the last few minutes, although they eventually lost 22-16. The following week he made an almost identical try-saving tackle against Luke McLean
Luke McLean
Luke McLean is an Italian Australian rugby union footballer who plays at fullback and fly-half for Treviso in Italy. He has also represented the Italy national rugby union team.-Background:McLean was born in Townsville, Queensland...
during Scotland's 21-8 victory over Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
. In the latter match, Paterson also became only the fifth player to score more than 400 points in the history of the Five/Six Nations Tournament
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
.
Testament to Paterson’s committed performances during the 2011 Six Nations Championship
2011 Six Nations Championship
The 2011 Six Nations Championship, known as the 2011 RBS 6 Nations due to the tournament's sponsorship by the Royal Bank of Scotland, was the 12th series of the Six Nations Championship. The annual northern hemisphere rugby union championship was contested by England, France, Ireland, Italy,...
he featured in several rugby journalists ‘Team of the Championship’
On the 22 August 2011 Paterson was selected in Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
's 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
squad meaning this would be in 4th Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
.
Paterson scored 14 points in Scotland's opening game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
in the 34-24 victory over Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
In Scotland's second pool game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
during the 15-6 victory over Georgia
Georgia national rugby union team
The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
Paterson made a substitute appearance in the 70th minute his 13th World Cup appearance one short of Doddie Weir's record of 14 World Cup appearances.
Kicking Accuracy
Since becoming ScotlandScotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
’s and Edinburgh Rugby’s goal kicker during 2003 Paterson has amassed 1860 points.
He successfully kicked 36 consecutive goals for Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
between 11 August 2007 and 7 June 2008, not missing a single attempt during the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
or the 2008 Six Nations Championship
2008 Six Nations Championship
The 2008 Six Nations Championship, known as the 2008 RBS 6 Nations because of the tournament's sponsorship by the Royal Bank of Scotland, was the ninth series of the rugby union Six Nations Championship. Including the previous incarnations as the Home Nations and Five Nations, this was the 114th...
. This run was brought to an end during the 7 June 2008 Test against Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
. This is believed to have been a world record for consecutive successful kicks at goal in Test play since such statistics were first kept in the late 1980s; this record was broken in 2010 by Morné Steyn
Morne Steyn
Morné Steyn is a South African rugby union player who plays at the Flyhalf position.He plays at number 10 for the Springboks internationally, as well as for the Bulls in the Super 14 and for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup...
of South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
. During the aforementioned Argentina match, Paterson also overtook Gavin Hastings
Gavin Hastings
Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a former Scotland rugby union player. He is frequently considered one of the best, if not the best, rugby player to come out of Scotland. His nickname is "Big Gav".Hastings was born in Edinburgh...
' long standing Scotland points record of 667, as well as equalling Scott Murray's record of 87 caps for Scotland.
As of October 1, 2011 he has scored 809 points for Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
(22 Tries, 90 Conversions, 170 Penalties and 3 drop goals).
For Edinburgh Rugby Paterson has amassed 773 points (20T 113C 4D 145P) in the RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
and 287 points (9T,40C,0D,54P)in the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
Other
His high profile in Scotland has been used in a number of marketing campaigns for several companies. He appeared on cereal boxes for Scott's Porage OatsScott's Porage Oats
Scott's Porage Oats is a Scottish breakfast cereal sold in the United Kingdom.- History of the brand :Porridge has been consumed in Scotland as a staple food since the Middle Ages, and is primarily consumed in the winter...
along with Thom Evans
Thom Evans
Thom Evans is a former Scottish international rugby union player. He last played on the wingfor Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League. His rugby career ended aged 24 on his 10th appearance for Scotland when he incurred a serious neck injury.-Career:Evans was educated at Wellington College,...
, MacSween Haggis
Haggis
Haggis is a dish containing sheep's 'pluck' , minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours. Most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a casing rather than an actual stomach.Haggis is a kind...
used him to front a new product range
See also
- Duncan PatersonDuncan PatersonDuncan Paterson was a Scottish rugby union player. He played at scrum-half, for Gala RFC at club level and was capped at international level for Scotland...
, his uncle and former Scottish international - Gregor TownsendGregor TownsendGregor Peter John Townsend MBE is a former Scottish rugby union player who played at fly-half, full back and latterly centre....
, another former pupil of Galashiels AcademyGalashiels AcademyGalashiels Academy is the high school in Galashiels, Scotland, that serves the surrounding area as well as Stow . Although refounded in 1938, the school's history goes back as far as 1696. -Notable former pupils:... - List of rugby union Test caps leaders
External links
- Scotland profile
- BBC Gloucestershire speak to Gloucester Rugby's Chris Paterson
- Paterson backs Edinburgh coaches. The Scotsman, August 11, 2006
- Paterson back as Gunners captain, BBC, July 26, 2006
- Jovial Paterson gets serious over Springboks – The Scotsman, June 3, 2006
- Paterson reigns on Dragon's Parade with majestic display – The Scotsman, May 15, 2006
- Six Nations frustration fuels Paterson craving for success – The Scotsman, March 25, 2006
- Speaking my mind could have resulted in chop, says hero Paterson – The Scotsman, March 22, 2006
- Paterson wins further recognition – BBC website, May 7, 2005
- Paterson could still be solution at stand-off – The Scotsman, March 30, 2005
- Paterson praise is Scots' only crumb of comfort – The Scotsman, March 21, 2005
- The cap fits as Paterson clocks up 50 The Scotsman, November 27, 2004
- Chris Paterson Returns to Edinburgh Scottish Rugby Union, May 2, 2008
- http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/13266.html?class=1;template=results;type=player;view=match