Ninian Jamieson Finlay (31 January 1858 – 7 March 1936^[1]) was an international rugby player for Scotland.^[2] He played nine caps for Scotland between 1875 – 1881.^[2] He is generally considered to be the youngest player ever to play for Scotland. He was seventeen years and thirty six days old when he played his first cap against England on 8 March 1875.^[3] He eagerly competes for this record against Charles Reid, who was the same age when he played his first cap. Reid, however, was a day older because of an extra leap year day when he capped in 1881.^[3]

Finlay was attending Edinburgh Academy when he played his first cap for Scotland.^[3]

"Ninian was still a schoolboy, but was such an incredibly powerful runner and sublime drop-kicker that he became the first real superstar of Scottish rugby."^[4]

He later played for Edinburgh Academicals^[2] and Edinburgh University RFC.^[1]

Finlay played for Edinburgh District.^[5]

He played for East of Scotland District in 1876.^[6]

The first historian of Scottish rugby, R.J. Phillips, said of Ninian Finlay: "There was never such glamour and reputation attached to any Scottish player till A.R. Don Wauchope reached the zenith of his powers."^[7]

In later life he was a Writer to the Signet.^[1]

Ninian was the brother of James Finlay, who played four caps for Scotland (1871–75), Arthur Finlay, who received a single cap (1875)^[2] and Robert Finlay, 1st Viscount Finlay.

All three brothers played in the 1875 0-0 draw against England at Raeburn Place, with James drawing his last cap and Arthur and Ninian drawing their first.^[4]

Sources