British & Irish Lions great and Springbok slayer Tom Smith dies

Tom Smith helped beat the Springboks in 1997

He had won just three Scotland caps when he was selected for the Lions’ 1997 tour of South Africa, where he helped out-scrummage a physically larger home pack during a 2-1 series win over the Springboks.

Smith was also involved four years later in the combined side’s series win in Australia, where he became the only Scottish player to have played in six consecutive Tests for the Lions.

“Tom was one of the toughest and most skilful players I had the pleasure to call a team-mate,” said Townsend after the Scottish Rugby Union announced Smith’s death.

“He succeeded in the most challenging of environments and kept up a high level of play well into his thirties.

“Tom also did a tremendous amount for charitable causes and was a great family man. 

“I am convinced that he will be regarded as one of our best ever players and his loss will be felt by all those who played with him or watched him for club and country over the years.”

SRU chairperson John Jeffrey added: “Today (Wednesday), Scottish Rugby has lost not only one of its greatest players but more importantly one of its greatest people. 

“Tom embodied everything we like to espouse about our great game.

“Pound for pound, he probably was Scotland’s greatest international. Tom was without a doubt the most humble person I have ever met and all of Scottish Rugby’s thoughts go out to Zoe and the children.”

Tom Smith captained Scotland and helped them win the last Five Nations Championship in 1999, with Italy becoming the ‘sixth’ nation the following year.

Born in England to a Scottish mother and English father, Smith’s club career featured spells in three countries, including stints at Glasgow, French Top 14 side Brive and English Premiership club Northampton.

Following his retirement in 2009, Smith coached at Edinburgh and in France before his cancer diagnosis three years ago.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse