RIP Jack Hegarty

Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Scotland forward and life-long Hawick RFC member John Jackson ‘Jack’ Hegarty. He was 91 when he passed away on Saturday 16 July.

A former player, captain and selector for the Mansfield Park club, Hegarty won six caps for his country between 1951 and 1955, making his debut in the back-row against France at the Stade Yves du Manoir.

Hegarty’s second appearance, a re-match against France, saw him shift to lock (a position he would retain for the remainder of his international career), where he put in a spirited performance in defeat to be signalled out at the time as playing with ‘intelligence and alacrity’ (Bogle, 2013).

Hegarty completed his cap career with a home debut against Wales, back-to-back appearances against Ireland and England, before waiting two years for his next and final Test appearance, a third outing against France.

Despite a winless international tenure, Hegarty enjoyed success with the South of Scotland, who won the old Inter-District Championship in the 1954/55 season, and the Barbarians, who he represented on the 1960 Easter Tour to Wales, facing Newport and Penarth.

A Hawick man through and through, Hegarty spent 40 years working in wool production at the Pringle knitwear factory formerly in the town.

Arrangements for Jack’s funeral are a cremation at the Borders Crematorium at 11am on Monday 25 July, followed by a service at Hawick RFC clubrooms at 12.30pm.

There will be a collection for Hawick Community Hospital, with a request for family flowers only please.

Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to all Jack’s family and friends.

Reference: Bogle, K. R. (2013): Scottish Rugby: Game by game. United Kingdom. Luath press.