Rugby-daft Borderer who went on to play for his country and referee the game, before becoming president of the Scottish Rugby Union

He was first and foremost a Borderer, a man who loved his town, his country, and his rugby with equal passion. George ''Dod'' Burrell, who died in the Borders General Hospital this week at the age of 80, served all three with considerable distinction.

Educated at Galashiels Academy, he was rugby daft from an early age, entering the senior Gala side when he was still a teenager. Even then he had, like many of his townsfolk, a well-developed distrust for most things emanating from Hawick, the great Border rival only a few miles away.

It was a friendly enough contest between the two largest towns in the Borders yet throughout his life Dod never had any affection for green, the other place's colour.

When the Second World War broke out Dod joined the 6th Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, captaining the regiment when they became British Army Champions. After the allies landed in

Normandy in 1944, he, by this time a company sergeant,

was wounded.

But he was fit enough to resume playing when hostilities were over and, varying between fly-half and full-back, he played for the South of Scotland and gained four caps for his country in season 1950/51. In his last game, at full-back, the Scots were trounced 44-0 by South Africa at Murrayfield. This was the infamous occasion when it was said the Scots ''were lucky to get nothing'', a sentiment which George wryly acknowledged in later life.

After he stopped playing Dod moved to refereeing, taking charge of two internationals at Twickenham and Cardiff. He was not a man, either as a referee or administrator, who accepted any flouting of the rules, though his ready sense of humour did defuse many a tricky situation.

When the whistle went on the same peg as the boots, George moved seamlessly into the SRU.

He was a member of the

general committee for 20 years, convener of the selection committee in 1973, and managed the Scottish touring side to New Zealand in 1975.

Two years later, he was back in that country, this time as the manager of the British and Irish Lions.

Andy Irvine, who played

in all four Tests in 1977, the series won 3-1 by the All Blacks, remembers Burrell with some affection.

''He didn't have the best of fortune on that Lions tour but I always had a soft spot for him. Behind the facade of the disciplinarian there was a real character who always did his best for the players.''

Once, when George was convener of selectors, he went into the changing area to congratulate the Scottish players. He was splashed by some of them sitting in the bath, whereupon Dod, fully clothed, climbed

in beside them and continued his speech.

A former chairman of the International Rugby Board, Burrell became president of the SRU in 1985. Another former president, Tom Pearson, of Howe of Fife, was one of his closest friends.

''During Dod's time on committee there were a lot of changes in the attitude of the Union. He was part of the regime which appointed Scotland's first-ever coach, Bill Dickinson, even if he was called adviser to the captain.

''Dod saw the introduction of the B internationals which provided valuable experience at a high level for many Scottish players. He even invited the journalists to sit on the team bus . . . as long as they stayed at the back!

''He was completely committed to youth development and spent a lot of his time as president selling this message to the clubs.''

Another former SRU president, Brigadier Frank Coutts, has warm memories too. ''He got great support from his wife Ada, who was a Yorkshire lass, and though he never suffered fools gladly, he was a thoroughly genuine man, great fun to be with.''

As one of the scribes at the back of the bus, I happily concur with that verdict.