Biography
David Michael Barclay Sole OBE, born on May 8, 1962, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, is a renowned former Scotland international rugby union player. Standing at 1.80 meters and weighing 103 kilograms, Sole made a significant impact as a loosehead prop. He was educated at Blairmore Prep School and Glenalmond College in Perthshire before attending Exeter University, where he played for the university’s rugby team. His illustrious rugby career earned him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) title in the 1993 New Year Honours.
Teams and Years Played
- Exeter University
- Bath (1983–1987)
- Edinburgh Academicals (1987–1992)
Provincial/State Teams
- Anglo-Scots
- Edinburgh District
International Career
David Sole’s international rugby career is marked by his significant contributions to Scotland’s national team and other prominent rugby teams:
- Scotland ‘B’ (1983–1985) – 5 caps
- Scotland (1986–1992) – 44 caps, 25 as captain
- British and Irish Lions (1989) – 3 caps
- World XV (1992) – Captain
Key Moments in His Rugby Career
- Debut for Scotland: Sole made his full senior debut for Scotland in 1986 against France.
- 1989 British Lions Tour: Sole was the first-choice loosehead prop for the victorious British Lions in Australia.
- 1990 Five Nations Championship: As the captain of the Scottish team, Sole led them to a historic Grand Slam victory, including the memorable walk onto the pitch at Murrayfield for the Grand Slam decider against England. Scotland won 13-7, denying England the Grand Slam and securing their third Grand Slam in history.
- 1992 World XV Victory: Sole captained a World XV team to a victory against the All Blacks.
- Final International Appearance: He made his final international appearance for Scotland in 1992 against Australia.
Post-Rugby Career
After retiring from professional rugby, David Sole transitioned to a successful media career, working as a co-commentator for BBC Scotland’s rugby union coverage. His insights and experience continue to influence and inspire rugby enthusiasts and players alike.