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{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Hamish Watson
| name = Hamish Watson
| image = 2017.06.17.14.59.24-Scots running on (34620149614) (Hamish Watson cropped).jpg
| image = 2017.06.17.14.59.24-Scots running on (34620149614) (Hamish Watson cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Watson in 2017
| caption = Watson representing [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] during the [[2017 mid-year rugby union internationals|Summer Internationals]]
| birth_name = Hamish Watson
| nickname =
| fullname = Hamish Fergus Wallace Watson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|10|15}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|10|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Manchester]], [[England]]
| birth_place = [[Manchester]], England
| height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishrugby.org/teams/scotland-men/hamish-watson|title = Hamish Watson}}</ref>
| height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|102|kg|lb stlb}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishrugby.org/teams/scotland-men/hamish-watson|title = Hamish Watson}}</ref>
| weight = {{convert|102|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| ru_currentteam = [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]]
| school = [[Oakham School]]
| university =
⚫
| ru_position = [[Flanker (rugby union)]]
| ru_amateuryears =
| relatives =
⚫
| position = [[Flanker (rugby union)|Flanker]]
| ru_amateurclubs = Wilmslow<br />[[Edinburgh Academical Football Club|Edinburgh Academicals]]
| currentclub = [[Edinburgh Rugby]]
| ru_amupdate =
| ru_youthyears =
| years1 = 2011–
| ru_youthclubs = [[Leicester Tigers]]
| clubs1 = [[Edinburgh Rugby]]
| ru_clubyears = 2011–
| apps1 = 159
| ru_proclubs = [[Edinburgh Rugby]]
| points1 = 100
| ru_clubcaps = 138
| repyears1 = 2011
⚫
| repteam1 = [[Scotland national under-20 rugby union team|Scotland U20]]
| ru_clubpoints = (85)
| ru_clubupdate = 5 April 2023
| repcaps1 = 10
| reppoints1 = 0
| ru_nationalyears = 2011<br />2015–<br />[[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2021]]
| repyears2 = 2015–
| ru_nationalteam = [[Scotland national under-20 rugby union team|Scotland U20]]<br />[[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]<br />[[British & Irish Lions]]
⚫
| repteam2 = [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]
| ru_nationalcaps = 10<br />57<br />1
| repcaps2 = 59
| ru_nationalpoints = (0)<br />(35)<br />(0)
| reppoints2 = 40
⚫
| ru_ntupdate = 18 March 2023
| repyears3 = 2021
⚫
| repsevensyears1 = 2011–2012
⚫
| repteam3 = [[British & Irish Lions]]
⚫
| repsevensteam1 = [[Scotland national rugby sevens team|Scotland 7s]]
| repcaps3 = 1
| repsevenscomp1 = 4 (5)
| ru_sevensupdate =
| reppoints3 = 0
| other =
| clubupdate = 29 May 2024
| relatives =
| repupdate = 30 September 2023
⚫
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 = 2011–2012
| school = [[Oakham School]]
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 = [[Scotland national rugby sevens team|Scotland]]
| university =
| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 = 4
⚫
| ru_sevensupdate = 18 March 2023
}}
}}
⚫
'''Hamish Watson''' (born 15 October 1991) is an English professional rugby union player who plays for [[Edinburgh Rugby]] in the [[United Rugby Championship]] and for the [[Scotland national rugby union team]].


⚫
'''Hamish Fergus Wallace Watson''' (born 15 October 1991) is a professional [[rugby union]] player who plays as a [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]] for [[United Rugby Championship]] club [[Edinburgh Rugby]].
==Schoolboy rugby==

== Early life ==
During his early schooling days at [[Terra Nova School|Terra Nova school]] he won the English schools boys national U13 trophy. He then moved to [[Oakham School]] and played for Leicester Tigers Academy until the age of 18.
During his early schooling days at [[Terra Nova School|Terra Nova school]] he won the English schools boys national U13 trophy. He then moved to [[Oakham School]] and played for Leicester Tigers Academy until the age of 18.


==Professional career==
== Club career ==
At the start of his English professional career he moved to Oakham in Rutland and was at the [[Leicester Tigers]] Academy. On moving to Scotland he then played for [[Edinburgh Rugby]].
At the start of his English professional career he moved to Oakham in Rutland and was at the [[Leicester Tigers]] Academy. On moving to Scotland he then played for [[Edinburgh Rugby]].


==International career==
== International career ==
Although he was born and raised in England, Watson was eligible to represent Scotland due to his grandfather, who was born in Glasgow, in addition to having lived in Scotland since 2011.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}
Although he was born and raised in England, Watson was eligible to represent Scotland due to his grandfather, who was born in Glasgow, in addition to having lived in Scotland since 2011.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}


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He made his [[Scotland Club XV]] debut in 2013 while still at [[Edinburgh Academicals]].
He made his [[Scotland Club XV]] debut in 2013 while still at [[Edinburgh Academicals]].


===Scotland national team===
=== Scotland ===

After impressing for [[Edinburgh Rugby]], Watson made his international debut in the home defeat to Italy during the [[2015 Six Nations Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/scotland-v-italy.html|title=Scotland v Italy - 2015 Six Nations|website=Six Nations Guide}}</ref>
After impressing for [[Edinburgh Rugby]], Watson made his international debut in the home defeat to Italy during the [[2015 Six Nations Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/scotland-v-italy.html|title=Scotland v Italy - 2015 Six Nations|website=Six Nations Guide}}</ref>
His first international try came during the [[2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals|Autumn Internationals]] of November 2016 as Scotland beat Georgia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/26/scotland-georgia-autumn-internationals-match-report|title=Stuart Hogg stars with two tries as rampant Scotland see off Georgia|date=26 November 2016|publisher=|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> with his second coming the following summer in the impressive victory over [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] in [[Sydney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/australia-vs-scotland-report-reaction-highlights-hamish-watson-try-a7794551.html|title=Scotland move up to fourth in the world after famous win over Australia|date=17 June 2017|website=The Independent}}</ref>
His first international try came during the [[2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals|Autumn Internationals]] of November 2016 as Scotland beat Georgia<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/nov/26/scotland-georgia-autumn-internationals-match-report|title=Stuart Hogg stars with two tries as rampant Scotland see off Georgia|date=26 November 2016|publisher=|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> with his second coming the following summer in the impressive victory over [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] in [[Sydney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/australia-vs-scotland-report-reaction-highlights-hamish-watson-try-a7794551.html|title=Scotland move up to fourth in the world after famous win over Australia|date=17 June 2017|website=The Independent}}</ref>
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Watson has been a virtual ever-present for Scotland since 2017, garnering numerous Man of the Match awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 February 2020|title=Hamish Watson named Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2020/02/22/hamish-watson-named-guinness-six-nations-player-of-the-match/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Six Nations Rugby}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bath|first1=Richard|last2=Richardson|first2=Charles|date=20 March 2021|title=Scotland secure record victory in bonus-point hammering of sorry Italy|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2021/03/20/scotland-v-italy-live-six-nations-2021-score-latest-updates/|access-date=26 June 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Doel|first=Jon|date=12 March 2019|title=This Scotland player's stats were just ridiculous against Wales|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rampaging-scottish-player-whose-stats-15962148|access-date=26 June 2021|website=WalesOnline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Scotland win in Wales to end 18-year wait|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54725357|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref> Watson was selected in Scotland's squad for the [[2019 Rugby World Cup|Rugby World Cup in 2019]], but suffered a tournament-ending injury in the opening match against [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=McLaughlin|first=Luke|date=22 September 2019|title=Ireland 27-3 Scotland: Rugby World Cup 2019 – as it happened|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/22/ireland-v-scotland-rugby-world-cup-2019-live|access-date=26 June 2021|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Watson's outstanding run of form up to and including the [[2021 Six Nations Championship]], during which he was an ever-present and didn't miss a single tackle during the five matches, saw him ultimately winning the vote for [[List of Six Nations Championship Player of the Championship winners|Player of the Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hamish Fergus Wallace Watson|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scotland/rugby/player/134162.html|access-date=26 June 2021|website=ESPN scrum}}</ref>
Watson has been a virtual ever-present for Scotland since 2017, garnering numerous Man of the Match awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 February 2020|title=Hamish Watson named Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2020/02/22/hamish-watson-named-guinness-six-nations-player-of-the-match/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Six Nations Rugby}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Bath|first1=Richard|last2=Richardson|first2=Charles|date=20 March 2021|title=Scotland secure record victory in bonus-point hammering of sorry Italy|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2021/03/20/scotland-v-italy-live-six-nations-2021-score-latest-updates/|access-date=26 June 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Doel|first=Jon|date=12 March 2019|title=This Scotland player's stats were just ridiculous against Wales|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rampaging-scottish-player-whose-stats-15962148|access-date=26 June 2021|website=WalesOnline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Scotland win in Wales to end 18-year wait|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54725357|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref> Watson was selected in Scotland's squad for the [[2019 Rugby World Cup|Rugby World Cup in 2019]], but suffered a tournament-ending injury in the opening match against [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=McLaughlin|first=Luke|date=22 September 2019|title=Ireland 27-3 Scotland: Rugby World Cup 2019 – as it happened|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/22/ireland-v-scotland-rugby-world-cup-2019-live|access-date=26 June 2021|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Watson's outstanding run of form up to and including the [[2021 Six Nations Championship]], during which he was an ever-present and didn't miss a single tackle during the five matches, saw him ultimately winning the vote for [[List of Six Nations Championship Player of the Championship winners|Player of the Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hamish Fergus Wallace Watson|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scotland/rugby/player/134162.html|access-date=26 June 2021|website=ESPN scrum}}</ref>


In 2023 Watson was selected in Scotland's 33 player squad for the [[2023 Rugby World Cup]] in France.<ref name = Squad2023>{{cite web |url=https://scottishrugby.org/scotland-squad-named-for-rugby-world-cup-2023/ |title=Scotland squad named for Rugby World Cup 2023 |publisher=Scottish Rugby Union}}</ref>
⚫
===British & Irish Lions===


⚫
=== British & Irish Lions ===
Watson's consistently high standards saw him selected in the 37-man squad for the [[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|British & Irish Lions 2021 tour to South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lions pick Simmonds but no Billy Vunipola|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57007546|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref> He took to the field for the first tour match against the Sigma Lions at [[Ellis Park Stadium]] in [[Johannesburg]], becoming Lion #847. He scored a try within seven minutes and was named man of the match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/55500137|title = Reaction after Adams scores four tries in British & Irish Lions victory|work = BBC Sport|date = 2 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lionsrugby.com/history/lions-player-numbers/|title = Player Numbers}}</ref> After performing well in the tour's warm-up matches, he was selected on the substitutes' bench for the first Test, coming on early in the second half as the Lions won 22-17 to lead the series.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57914574|title=Jones to captain Lions in first Test|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57955588|title=Lions fight back to clinch series opener|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
Watson's consistently high standards saw him selected in the 37-man squad for the [[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|British & Irish Lions 2021 tour to South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lions pick Simmonds but no Billy Vunipola|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57007546|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref> He took to the field for the first tour match against the Sigma Lions at [[Ellis Park Stadium]] in [[Johannesburg]], becoming Lion #847. He scored a try within seven minutes and was named man of the match.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/55500137|title = Reaction after Adams scores four tries in British & Irish Lions victory|work = BBC Sport|date = 2 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lionsrugby.com/history/lions-player-numbers/|title = Player Numbers}}</ref> After performing well in the tour's warm-up matches, he was selected on the substitutes' bench for the first Test, coming on early in the second half as the Lions won 22-17 to lead the series.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57914574|title=Jones to captain Lions in first Test|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57955588|title=Lions fight back to clinch series opener|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>


===International statistics===
== Career statistics ==
=== International analysis by opposition ===

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align: right;"
|+ Appearances and tries by national team and year
|-
|-
! Opposition
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Tries
! Played
! Win
! Loss
! Draw
! Tries
! Points
! Win %
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|ARG|noflag=y}} || 4 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 5 || {{winpct|3|1}}
⚫
|rowspan="9"|[[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]
|2015||2||0
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|AUS|noflag=y}} || 5 || 3 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 10 || {{winpct|3|2}}
|2016||3||1
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|ENG|noflag=y}} || 6 || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|3|2|1}}
|2017||10||1
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|FIJ|noflag=y}} || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|1|1}}
|2018||8||1
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|FRA|noflag=y}} || 7 || 5 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|5|2}}
|2019||5||0
|-
|-
| align="left" | [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]] || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 10 || {{winpct|3|0}}
|2020||8||1
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|IRE|noflag=y}} || 7 || 1 || 6 || 0 || 1 || 5 || {{winpct|1|6}}
|2021||9||2
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|ITA|noflag=y}} || 9 || 8 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|8|1}}
|2022||9||1
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|JAP|noflag=y}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|1|0}}
|2023||3||0
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|NZL|noflag=y}} || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|0|2}}
!colspan="2"|Total!!57!!7
⚫
|}

⚫
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and tries by national team and year
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|ROU|noflag=y}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || {{winpct|1|0}}
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Tries
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|SAM|noflag=y}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|1|0}}
⚫
|rowspan="1"|[[British & Irish Lions]]
|[[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2021]]||1||0
|-
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|RSA|noflag=y}}{{efn|Includes of one [[British & Irish Lions]] test appearance in the [[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2021 tour to South Africa]].}} || 3 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 5 || {{winpct|1|2}}
!colspan="2"|Total!!1!!0
⚫
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|TGA|noflag=y}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|1|0}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|WAL|noflag=y}} || 7 || 2 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{winpct|2|5}}
|- class="sortbottom"
⚫
| style="text-align:center;" | Career
| 59 || 33 || 24 || 1 || 8 || 35 || {{winpct|33|24|1}}
|}
|}
{{as of|2023|10|01|lc=y}}
{{notelist}}


==Personal life==
== Personal life ==

Watson has gained two nicknames from fans: "The Mish", a shortening of his given name, and "Pinball", in reference to his unique running style which sees him bounce off several players over a short distance whilst carrying the ball.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 April 2021|title=Hamish Watson: Scotland's Pinball Wizard and Player of the Championship|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2021/04/02/hamish-watson-scotlands-pinball-wizard/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Six Nations Rugby}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Morgan|first=Charlie|date=29 March 2019|title=How Hamish 'Pinball' Watson became an all-action cult hero for Edinburgh and Scotland|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2019/03/29/hamish-watson-became-all-action-cult-hero-edinburgh-scotland/|access-date=26 June 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The nickname "Pinball" was given to Watson by the Scottish Rugby Podcast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishrugbyblog.co.uk/2018/03/podcast-series-4-episode-8-pinball-balboa/|title=Podcast: Series 4 Episode 8 - Pinball Balboa|date=21 March 2018}}</ref>
Watson has gained two nicknames from fans: "The Mish", a shortening of his given name, and "Pinball", in reference to his unique running style which sees him bounce off several players over a short distance whilst carrying the ball.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 April 2021|title=Hamish Watson: Scotland's Pinball Wizard and Player of the Championship|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2021/04/02/hamish-watson-scotlands-pinball-wizard/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Six Nations Rugby}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Morgan|first=Charlie|date=29 March 2019|title=How Hamish 'Pinball' Watson became an all-action cult hero for Edinburgh and Scotland|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2019/03/29/hamish-watson-became-all-action-cult-hero-edinburgh-scotland/|access-date=26 June 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The nickname "Pinball" was given to Watson by the Scottish Rugby Podcast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scottishrugbyblog.co.uk/2018/03/podcast-series-4-episode-8-pinball-balboa/|title=Podcast: Series 4 Episode 8 - Pinball Balboa|date=21 March 2018}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{Sport links}}
* {{sports links}}
*[http://www.edinburghrugby.org/edinburgh-rugby/player/hamish-watson Edinburgh Rugby - Hamish Watson]
* [http://www.edinburghrugby.org/edinburgh-rugby/player/hamish-watson Edinburgh Rugby - Hamish Watson]


{{Edinburgh Rugby squad}}
{{Edinburgh Rugby squad}}
Line 137: Line 148:
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Scotland]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Scotland]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Manchester]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Manchester]]
[[Category:2019 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2023 Rugby World Cup players]]

Latest revision as of 15:29, 29 May 2024

Hamish Watson
Watson representing Scotland during the Summer Internationals
Full nameHamish Fergus Wallace Watson
Date of birth (1991-10-15) 15 October 1991 (age 32)
Place of birthManchester, England
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight102 kg (225 lb; 16 st 1 lb)
SchoolOakham School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Edinburgh Rugby
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011– Edinburgh Rugby 159 (100)
Correct as of 29 May 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011 Scotland U20 10 (0)
2015– Scotland 59 (40)
2021 British & Irish Lions 1 (0)
Correct as of 30 September 2023
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2011–2012 Scotland 4
Correct as of 18 March 2023

Hamish Fergus Wallace Watson (born 15 October 1991) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for United Rugby Championship club Edinburgh Rugby.

Early life

[edit]

During his early schooling days at Terra Nova school he won the English schools boys national U13 trophy. He then moved to Oakham School and played for Leicester Tigers Academy until the age of 18.

Club career

[edit]

At the start of his English professional career he moved to Oakham in Rutland and was at the Leicester Tigers Academy. On moving to Scotland he then played for Edinburgh Rugby.

International career

[edit]

Although he was born and raised in England, Watson was eligible to represent Scotland due to his grandfather, who was born in Glasgow, in addition to having lived in Scotland since 2011.[citation needed]

He progressed to a centrally held Scotland 7s contract in the summer of 2011 before being approached to join the Edinburgh Rugby elite development programme, after a string of impressive showings in the back-row.

He made his Scotland Club XV debut in 2013 while still at Edinburgh Academicals.

Scotland

[edit]

After impressing for Edinburgh Rugby, Watson made his international debut in the home defeat to Italy during the 2015 Six Nations Championship.[1] His first international try came during the Autumn Internationals of November 2016 as Scotland beat Georgia[2] with his second coming the following summer in the impressive victory over Australia in Sydney.[3]

Watson has been a virtual ever-present for Scotland since 2017, garnering numerous Man of the Match awards.[4][5][6][7] Watson was selected in Scotland's squad for the Rugby World Cup in 2019, but suffered a tournament-ending injury in the opening match against Ireland.[8] Watson's outstanding run of form up to and including the 2021 Six Nations Championship, during which he was an ever-present and didn't miss a single tackle during the five matches, saw him ultimately winning the vote for Player of the Championship.[9]

In 2023 Watson was selected in Scotland's 33 player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.[10]

British & Irish Lions

[edit]

Watson's consistently high standards saw him selected in the 37-man squad for the British & Irish Lions 2021 tour to South Africa.[11] He took to the field for the first tour match against the Sigma Lions at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, becoming Lion #847. He scored a try within seven minutes and was named man of the match.[12][13] After performing well in the tour's warm-up matches, he was selected on the substitutes' bench for the first Test, coming on early in the second half as the Lions won 22-17 to lead the series.[14][15]

Career statistics

[edit]

International analysis by opposition

[edit]
Opposition Played Win Loss Draw Tries Points Win %
Argentinien 4 3 1 0 1 5 .750
Australien 5 3 2 0 2 10 .600
England 6 3 2 1 0 0 .583
Fidschi 2 1 1 0 0 0 .500
Frankreich 7 5 2 0 0 0 .714
Georgien 3 3 0 0 2 10 1.000
Irland 7 1 6 0 1 5 .143
Italien 9 8 1 0 0 0 .889
Japan 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000
Neuseeland 2 0 2 0 0 0 .000
Rumänien 1 1 0 0 1 0 1.000
Samoa 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000
South Africa[a] 3 1 2 0 1 5 .333
Tonga 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000
Wales 7 2 5 0 0 0 .286
Career 59 33 24 1 8 35 .578

as of 1 October 2023

  1. ^ Includes of one British & Irish Lions test appearance in the 2021 tour to South Africa.

Personal life

[edit]

Watson has gained two nicknames from fans: "The Mish", a shortening of his given name, and "Pinball", in reference to his unique running style which sees him bounce off several players over a short distance whilst carrying the ball.[16][17] The nickname "Pinball" was given to Watson by the Scottish Rugby Podcast.[18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Scotland v Italy - 2015 Six Nations". Six Nations Guide.
  2. ^ "Stuart Hogg stars with two tries as rampant Scotland see off Georgia". 26 November 2016 – via www.theguardian.com.
  3. ^ "Scotland move up to fourth in the world after famous win over Australia". The Independent. 17 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Hamish Watson named Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match". Six Nations Rugby. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  5. ^ Bath, Richard; Richardson, Charles (20 March 2021). "Scotland secure record victory in bonus-point hammering of sorry Italy". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  6. ^ Doel, Jon (12 March 2019). "This Scotland player's stats were just ridiculous against Wales". WalesOnline. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Scotland win in Wales to end 18-year wait". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  8. ^ McLaughlin, Luke (22 September 2019). "Ireland 27-3 Scotland: Rugby World Cup 2019 – as it happened". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Hamish Fergus Wallace Watson". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Scotland squad named for Rugby World Cup 2023". Scottish Rugby Union.
  11. ^ "Lions pick Simmonds but no Billy Vunipola". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Reaction after Adams scores four tries in British & Irish Lions victory". BBC Sport. 2 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Player Numbers".
  14. ^ "Jones to captain Lions in first Test". BBC Sport.
  15. ^ "Lions fight back to clinch series opener". BBC Sport.
  16. ^ "Hamish Watson: Scotland's Pinball Wizard and Player of the Championship". Six Nations Rugby. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  17. ^ Morgan, Charlie (29 March 2019). "How Hamish 'Pinball' Watson became an all-action cult hero for Edinburgh and Scotland". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Podcast: Series 4 Episode 8 - Pinball Balboa". 21 March 2018.
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