Tom Smith: Former Scotland and British & Irish Lions front-row dies aged 50

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has hailed Tom Smith as one of the country’s best ever players after former front-row passed away at the age of 50 on Wednesday.

Smith who was suffering from stage-four colon cancer, which was diagnosed in November 2019, played in 61 Tests for Scotland and was part of their squad which won the 1999 Five Nations.

He was also part of the triumphant British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa in 1997 and represented the famous touring team in six Tests.

Townsend said: “Tom was one of the toughest and most skilful players I had the pleasure to call a team-mate.

“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.”

Chris Paterson, who is another player who played alongside Smith at Test level for Scotland, said: “Tom was simply inspirational. He was someone who had an aura that I didn’t experience with any other player and commanded instant respect.

“As well as being a wonderful rugby player, he was a lovely, warm generous person and made you feel 10 feet tall when he spoke to you.”

Scottish Rugby chairman John Jeffrey added: “Today, 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