| JAMES McLAREN (Bordeaux-Bégles). Centre. Born 28.6.72 in Stirling. 6ft 3in, 17st 4lbs. James Gerard McLaren notched his fifth try for Scotland in the victory over Italy at Murrayfield in March 2003. Earlier in the year he made a try scoring return to Scotland A duty on his old Stirling stomping ground in the 22-all draw with Ireland A . In the full Test arena he scored his fourth try for Scotland in the 43-20 win against Tonga in November 2001. Earlier in the 2001 Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship, he crossed for his third try in the 28-all draw with Wales. His first try occurred in the 60-19 win against Romania at Hampden Park in August 1999, while his second was in the World Cup match against Spain in October 1999. McLaren went on to play in three internationals during the 2000 Six Nations Championship and a further three games on the 2000 tour to New Zealand, including the first Test. Injury led to his absence from the 2000 Autumn Tests but he was restored for the start of the 2001 Six Nations and enjoyed one of his best outings for Scotland in the September success against Ireland. He learned much of his rugby in Australia, having moved there with his family as a seven-year-old. He returned to Scotland on completion of his high school education in 1991 and enlisted with Stirling County. During that spell he represented Glasgow at under-21 grade. He travelled back to Australia to undertake university studies, and at that time he switched to rugby league, playing with the renowned Canberra Raiders club. In the autumn of 1996 he returned again to Scotland, and in season 1997-98 he made his debut for Caledonia in a victory against Connacht. That season he went on to play three times for Scotland A - enjoying his first outing against South Africa's Northern Bulls. He played two seasons in French club rugby with Bourgoin-Jallieu before returning to Scotland to join Glasgow Caledonians. He returned to France at the start of season 2002/2003 to play his rugby with Bordeaux-Bégles.
International record: 23 caps. 1999 - Arg R WC(Sp Sam). 2000 - It (rep) F E NZ1. 2001 - F W E (rep) I T Arg NZ. 2002 - E It I F W. 2003 - W E It. Points: 25 - 5 tries.
Scotland squad 2003 - Centre
International Debut 21 Aug 1999 against Argentina
Last Test 06 Apr 2002 against Wales |