Edinburgh to honour former players on 30th anniversary European Jersey

13 Oct 2026

Edinburgh Rugby will mark the recent passing of two of its former captains, Scott Hastings and Ally Donaldson, and flanker Graham Dall, on the capital’s European jersey this season.

The trio were part of Edinburgh’s first ever professional side in 1996, featuring in the club’s inaugural European match against Bath. All three players have left an indelible mark on rugby in the capital – as players and as men in the wider rugby community.

Each player will have their initials and heritage number printed on the thirteen, ten, and seven jerseys, acting as a tribute to their contributions to the shirt in their times representing the capital.

Hastings (#871), who was the club’s first professional club captain, left behind a legacy as a Scottish rugby great. The centre earned 65 Scotland caps between 1986 and 1997, and went on two British & Irish Lions tours.

A huge figure at Watsonian FC, Scott’s rugby story will always be firmly rooted in the capital.

Gavin Hastings, Scott’s brother and Edinburgh #854, said: “Rugby is a very close community, and I think rugby players have a great affinity for one another. Ally and Scott were both deeply committed improving the lives of people they came in contact with. I’ve lost a brother, and a guy I had huge amount of respect for, and it’s tough.

“But rugby honours their former players well, and I think this is a lovely gesture to wear the numbers and initials of both players in their European games this season.”

Donaldson (#911) made a huge impact on the rugby landscape in Edinburgh, both as a player and as a coach and teacher. Ally captained the capital in 1997, and while at Currie he steered the club on the pitch to their success in the inaugural Tennent’s Shield in 1996.

His influence reached far beyond the pitch, nurturing multiple talents into the professional echelons of the game as Director of Rugby at George Watson’s College, including Stuart McInally and current Edinburgh stand-off Cammy Scott.

Katie Donaldson, Ally’s daughter, added: “We’re really honoured that Edinburgh Rugby are paying tribute to our dad, because rugby was such a big part of dad’s life and our family’s life, and we’re really excited to see the strip at a European game.”

In addition to the club captains that passed away this year, the club will also pay tribute to flanker Graham Dall, who sadly died last year. Dall (#932) started against Bath in 1996, and was a great part of the Heriot’s and Edinburgh Rugby family.

Whilst he was a Scotland-A international and gifted rugby player, he was also a talent in the medical world, becoming an orthopaedic surgeon, working in the NHS at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose, specialising in ankle and foot surgery.

His initials and heritage number will be placed on the seven jersey for the club’s European fixtures this season.

All three players would have part of the 1996 side present at the game this Friday, as guests of the club in hospital, to celebrate the club’s European anniversary.