Robert Wilson Shaw

Robert Wilson Shaw CBE (11 April 1913 – 23 July 1979) was a Scottish rugby union footballer who played for Scotland in 19 tests between 1934 and 1939.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Shaw played club for Glasgow HSFP and could play in several positions in the backline; including wing, centre and fullback.

Shaw also played the All Blacks in 1935 with the Cities District

International career

Shaw's playing qualities were considered somewhat of an enigma. He was fast, could run well, could pass and dummy pass, and could sidestep many defenders. However Shaw was considered a flawed genius due to his inconsistency. Whilst he was without equal on his day, he could also produce performances equally as poor. The weakest technical aspect of his game was considered his kicking, and his defence could also be poor. Despite this, following the Triple Crown winning victory over England in 1938, the press proclaimed him "the greatest rugby player of his generation".

Richard Bath writes: "Shaw was so consistently outstanding at fly-half that became Scotland's regular No. 10, eventually becoming captain and leading Scotland to the Triple Crown in 1938."

Since was still banned from the competition at this stage, this would have been the nearest thing to a Scottish Grand Slam.

Administrative career

He became the 84th President of the Scottish Rugby Union. He served the standard one year from 1970 to 1971.

Family

His brother Ian Shaw was also a Scotland international rugby union player.