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Chris "Mossy" Paterson (born March 30 1978 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish rugby union footballer. He is a fullback or wing or fly-half who plays for Edinburgh and Scotland. He is probably Scotland's most naturally gifted rugby footballer since Gregor Townsend who also attended Galashiels Academy. Chris recently earned his 64th cap for Scotland.
Player
Record breaker
On November 13, 2004 in the Scotland v Japan game his total points scored exceeded that of Andy Irvine, and is now second only to the legendary Gavin Hastings. Paterson is an excellent kicker.
On November 27, 2004 he became the youngest ever Scottish player to earn 50 caps, aged 26. He is nicknamed "Mossy", after a cartoon character on television.
On February 26, 2005 Chris equalled the scoring record set by Gavin Hastings for one game of six penalties converted in the 18-0 win over Italy which ensured that Scotland would not earn the wooden spoon for the second year running.
He became the second highest scoring Scottish international ever in a single match when he scored 40 points (three tries, 11 conversions and one penalty) against Japan at McDiarmid Park. He won his 50th cap in November 2004.
In the Six Nations Championship of 2006 Chris was one of Scotland's best players, scoring invaluable points through penalties and tries. He kicked an amazing 17 from 19 shots at goal.
He was the BBC's full-back of the Six Nations in 2005, and runner up in 2006. He was also second highest points scorer in 2006 with 57 (47 from kicks), despite Scotland scoring the second least amount of points (78) in the Championship.
The Lion that did not roar
Due to Paterson's ultra-reliable kicking and mazy, elusive running from the full back position in the Six Nations Championship 2005, especially in the Calcutta Cup game, he was thought to have almost certainly ensured a call-up by Sir Clive Woodward for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005. However, controversionally, he was not picked, with Woodward widely criticised for picking a squad based around his World Cup winning England team of 2003.
His play is reminiscent of the great Andy Irvine or Christian Cullen, but some feel he should be given more of a chance at fly half, especially as this is not a position where Scotland has strength in depth.
See also
- Gregor Townsend, another former pupil of Galashiels Academy
External links
- Jovial Paterson gets serious over Springboks - The Scotsman, June 3, 2006
- Paterson reigns on Dragon's Parade with majestic display - The Scotsman, May 15, 2006
- Six Nations frustration fuels Paterson craving for success - The Scotsman, March 25, 2006
- Speaking my mind could have resulted in chop, says hero Paterson - The Scotsman, March 22, 2006
- Paterson wins further recognition - BBC website, May 7, 2005
- Paterson could still be solution at stand-off - The Scotsman, March 30, 2005
- Paterson praise is Scots' only crumb of comfort - The Scotsman, March 21, 2005
- The cap fits as Paterson clocks up 50 The Scotsman, November 27, 2004
1978 births | Living people | Edinburghers | Scottish rugby union footballers | Rugby union wings | Rugby union fullbacks | Rugby union fly-halves | Galashiels Academy alumni
"Chris Paterson"