Fred McLeod

Fred McLeod (2 May 1939 – 25 December 2019) was a Scottish rugby union player. He became the 110th President of the Scottish Rugby Union.

Rugby union career

Amateur career

McLeod went to Daniel Stewart's College in Edinburgh. He played rugby for the school team.

He then played for Stewart's College FP. He played for the club for 23 years until in 1970 a detached retina forced him to quit his playing career.

Administrative career

He became a club selector of Stewart's College FP in 1970.

His spell of the Presidency was notable as he had to deal with the new professional era of rugby union in Scotland. Despite the SRU professionalising the District sides, the situation was tense as many still argued that the club sides should be turned professional instead.

McLeod was one of the three IRB members who recommended professionalism for the sport in a 1995 report. The National newspaper concluded: 'Fred got pelters for that around Murrayfield but stood his ground and was proven correct' and also backed Jim Telfer in his view that the District sides should be professional and not the club sides.

McLeod also had to deal with England's expulsion from the Five Nations Championship in 1996. This was short-term and England played in the next tournament.

Tributes

Andy Irvine: Freddie was rugby through and through. He was a great servant to the game and I really enjoyed working with him.