Willie Anderson (rugby union, born 1967)

Willie Anderson (born 17 September 1967 in Kirkcaldy, Scotland) is a former Scotland A international rugby union player for Glasgow Warriors, who played at the Tighthead Prop position.

Willie Anderson
Birth nameWilliam Anderson
Date of birth (1967-09-17) 17 September 1967
Place of birthKirkcaldy, Scotland
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight114 kg (17 st 13 lb; 251 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
- Kirkcaldy ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996–1998
1998–2001		 Caledonia Reds
Glasgow Warriors
20
(0)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
- North and Midlands ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
- Scotland A 11

Starting playing at amateur club Kirkcaldy RFC, when professionalism was introduced in Scotland, Anderson joined the Caledonia Reds side.[1] No fewer than 9 Kirkcaldy players played in the Caledonia Reds team in the Heineken Cup of this era[2] The Caledonia Reds won the first Scottish Inter-District Championship in the Scottish professional era in 1996–97 season.

Unfortunately the SRU could not afford four district teams at this time. They disbanded Caledonia Reds and merged the district into that of the Glasgow Warriors, which was known then as Glasgow Caledonians. Anderson was one of the lucky players that was taken on by the Glasgow side in 1998.[3]

Internationally, he had 11 eleven appearances at Scotland 'A' and a test appearance against Spain in Rugby World Cup qualification.[2] Jim Telfer said of Anderson's call up for the Spain match: "Willie has been performing very well for Glasgow Caledonians this season and we want to give him a shot at this level to see how he does. Hopefully, this will be a stern test."[4]

There have been calls for these test appearances - including in the Spain match - to be designated as a full Scotland cap by the SRU; Anderson is one of 30 players who could be retrospectively given a full Scotland cap if the Scottish Rugby Union follows the Scottish Football Association's example and belatedly honours their players.[5] Anderson said this of his wish for a full Scotland cap: "I have been following and playing rugby since I was a small schoolkid, and it would be my ultimate ambition to get a Scotland cap."[6]

Anderson went on to play with Glasgow to 2001; he struggled with injury in 2000 with a detached bicep muscle[7] and mutually agreed to a release in his contract in January 2001.[8] However he was later included in the Scotland A squad of March 2001.[9]

Anderson is now the under-18 coach at Kirkcaldy RFC.[10]

References
  1. "RUGBY UNION: I'VE GOT THE PAUER".
  2. Raymond Mann. "Club History - Kirkcaldy Rugby Football Club".
  3. "District cap does not fit six Scotland internationalists. Room left to tempt big names north as 43 players pay the penalty for rugby's contract revolution". Herald Scotland.
  4. "Rugby Union: Anderson wins his chance to impress". The Independent. 23 October 2011.
  5. "Time for Scottish rugby to realise that if the cap fits ."
  6. "Rugby Union: Scotland turn to veteran Burnell". The Independent. 23 October 2011.
  7. "Caledonians lose forwards for rest of season". ESPN scrum.
  8. "Glasgow release two". ESPN scrum.
  9. "Jacobsen props up Scotland A".
  10. "Contact - Kirkcaldy Rugby Football Club".
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