SCOTTISH rugby was saddened yesterday by news of the death of former international stand-off David Chisholm following a lengthy illness.

Regarded as one of the most complete footballers of his generation, he and his Melrose half-back partner, Alex Hastie, put together an exceptional run when originally selected for the Scotland team in tandem by going undefeated through their first 10 matches together.

National director of rugby Jim Telfer shared in most of their successes at club, district, and international level and paid a warm tribute to Chisholm yesterday. ''I was very sad to hear of his death,'' he said.

''He was a couple of years older than me, but we played a lot together for Melrose, the South and Scotland. Davie was one of the most outstanding players I ever played with and in many ways was ahead of his time.

''He was two-footed, had a good break, and was a hard tackler.'' Telfer did, though, recall with gentle amusement that they were not exactly kindred spirits.

''The one thing he didn't much like doing was train,'' Telfer explained. ''In fact, I can remember on one occasion him sitting on a table in the Melrose clubhouse saying he wished the Scotland selectors would name their team so he knew whether he should train or not.

''He played some very good games for Scotland and, in 1964, was part of the first Scotland team to beat England for 14 years. He was also part of the South side that won district championship after district championship in that era.''

Of his own rugby partnership with Chisholm and Hastie, as their No.8 and international captain, Telfer pointed to how his recollections of that era demonstrate the way the game has changed.

''It wasn't the same kind of game as it is now,'' he said. ''Although another Melrose man, Frank Laidlaw, and I were two of the most experienced forwards in the Scotland side I captained, the game was run by the half backs.''

Chisholm initially took ill eight years ago, the timing of which, Telfer recalled, was particularly tragic, occurring shortly after the death of his older brother, Robin, also a Scotland internationalist.

''Robin died watching the World Cup final in 1991,'' Telfer said. ''I remember going to his funeral and two months later Davie took ill at a function while making a speech.''

Chisholm never fully recovered, although he was still a regular visitor to matches at The Greenyards in recent years.

Having first played for Melrose in 1954 as a 17-year-old, he established that legendary partnership with Hastie on his return from national service.

He was club captain when Melrose won both the unofficial national championship and the Border League in the 1962/63 season.

The townspeople of Melrose took full advantage of the final, high-profile opportunity to demonstrate their affection when a crowd of around 7000 turned out for a benefit match held for him between Melrose and Newcastle at The Greenyards two years ago.