Gregor Townsend was born in April 1973 in Galashiels. On graduating from the University of Edinburgh with a History and Politics degree, he started his rugby career with Gala RFC. He won his first full cap for Scotland v England at Twickenham in March 1993, and went on to become the most capped Scottish international of all time. He was also a member of the triumphant British Lions squad to South Africa in 1997. At club level, he has played for Northampton Saints, Brive, Castres and Montpellier in France, Natal Sharks in the Super-12, and is currently player-coach for Borders. He was awarded an MBE in 1999.
