Bitter rugby legend quits the sport in major shock after being 'betrayed' by own country

John Jeffrey (L)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Scotland rugby legend John Jeffrey's bid to become chairman of World Rugby has come to a shock and abrupt end after the Scottish Rugby Union withdrew its support. Jeffrey, currently vice-chairman of World Rugby, said he feels "hurt, bitter and betrayed".

The 65-year-old was a household name in the 1990s, winning the Grand Slam with Scotland in 1990. But he has now been told Scottish Rugby will not be backing his candidacy to replace Bill Beaumont in November. He had been the favourite for the role.

"I'm very bitter. I'm very upset - very, very upset. To be beaten by your own country really, really hurts," he told BBC Sport Scotland.

SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on behind the scenes.

"It came as a huge shock. It doesn't reflect well on us as a country. People are now laughing at us - 'you said you were standing and now you're not'.

"I don't know if they are laughing at me or if they're laughing at Scottish Rugby, but they're certainly laughing. It does not reflect well on the [SRU] board.

"There's a lot of politics. I know I was favourite to win. There was opposition in terms of candidates from Italy, France and Australia and had I been beaten by any of them of them I would have shaken their hands and said 'well done'.

"What really sticks in my throat is that I got beaten by my own country. My own country at the 11th hour have withdrawn their nomination, which beggars belief.

"Betrayed is not too strong a word. I’m out, I’m back to farming again."

The BBC report Jeffrey was chairman of the Scottish Rugby Limited Board from 2020-23 and was told various aspects of his performance in that role were the reasons he could not be supported.

He has held senior positions within Scottish Rugby and World Rugby since 2010 but is now resigning as president of the Six Nations and as an executive board member, council member and vice-chairman of World Rugby. Jeffrey will no longer be involved in rugby administration in any capacity and has vowed to return to his fam in the Scottish Borders.

Listen to the latest episode of the Welsh Rugby Podcast