Jim Hamilton a mighty talisman for Scots

It is almost exactly 40 years since the legend that is Willie John McBride played his last game for Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park in March 1975. 

Four decades on, Scotland lock Jim Hamilton, whose team welcomes championship-chasing Ireland to Murrayfield this afternoon, would be the first to admit that he does not match up to the iconic Antrim forward.

Despite over eight years of loyal service to his country, earning 60 caps in the process (only three fewer than McBride), plus a distinguished club career with Leicester, Edinburgh, Gloucester, Montpellier and latterly Saracens, Hamilton cannot compete against a man who contested a record 17 Tests for the Lions across five tours and enjoyed series victories in New Zealand and South Africa.