Scotland rugby great Scott Hastings dead at 61

May.17 - Scotland great Scott Hastings died at the age of 61 on Sunday after suffering from cancer, the Scottish Rugby Union announced Sunday.

The centre won 65 caps for Scotland, playing 51 internationals with his full-back brother, Gavin. He was also selected for the British and Irish Lions tours of Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993.

Scott Hastings later enjoyed a successful career as a rugby broadcaster.

His daughters announced that Hastings had died in in an Edinburgh hospital in a Scottish Rugby Union statement.

"Corey and Kerry-Anne Hastings are saddened to inform you that Scott, the Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on the morning of Sunday 17 May," it read.

"This also marked his late wife Jenny's birthday which speaks louder than words that he is safe and with his beloved Jenny. Scott was undergoing cancer treatment and due to complications deteriorated extremely quickly."

The statement added: "Despite every effort by the incredible team at the Western General Hospital ICU (intensive care unit), he passed away peacefully and pain free.

"At this time the family ask everyone to give them space to process and manage their energies and ask for their privacy to be respected." - AFP