Rugby player; Born July 1, 1939; Died October 17, 2007.

BRIAN Shillinglaw, who has died aged 68, was a former Gala and Scotland rugby union scrum-half who after securing a handful of caps for his country switched codes to become a rugby league professional.

A builder from the Borders, Shillinglaw's first cap was in a game against Ireland at Lansdowne Road in 1960, which Scotland won. His other caps were against England, France and South Africa, who he played twice.

The versatile Shillinglaw played 65 times for Gala at scrum-half, centre and stand-off and also played for his regiment, the King's Own Scottish Borderers and for the Army during his national Service.

Shillinglaw turned professional in 1961 when he joined Whitehaven for £5000 in a move that did not go down well with the Borders rugby establishment. Such was his impact that within a year he had been signed for £5500 by league giants Wigan before ending his playing days with Leigh. He leaves a son and a daughter.