Chris Paterson

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Chris Paterson
Full name	Christopher Douglas Paterson
Date of birth	1978-03-30
Place of birth	Edinburgh, Scotland
Height	1.8 m
Weight	78 kg
Nickname	Mossy
Rugby union career
Position	Fly-half, Wing or Fullback
Amateur clubs
1996-1999	Gala RFC
correct as of 7 August 2006.
Professional clubs		Caps	(points)
1998 1999-present	Glasgow Caledonians Edinburgh	2 ?	(0) (?)
correct as of 7 August 2006.
National team(s)
1999-present	Scotland	61	(430)
correct as of 7 August 2006.
Other Information
Occupation	Professional rugby union player
School  attended	Galashiels Academy

Chris "Mossy" Paterson (born March 30, 1978 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish rugby union footballer. He is a fullback or wing or fly-half who plays for Edinburgh and Scotland. He is probably Scotland's most naturally gifted rugby footballer since Gregor Townsend who also attended Galashiels Academy. Chris recently earned his 64th cap for Scotland.

Contents 1 Player 1.1 Record breaker 2 The Lion that did not roar 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Player

[edit] Record breaker

On November 13, 2004 in the Scotland v Japan game his total points scored exceeded that of Andy Irvine, and is now second only to the legendary Gavin Hastings. He scored 40 points (three tries, 11 conversions and one penalty) that day at McDiarmid Park. Paterson is an excellent kicker.

On November 27, 2004 he became the youngest ever Scottish player to earn 50 caps, aged 26. He is nicknamed "Mossy", after a cartoon character on television.

On February 26, 2005 Chris equalled the scoring record set by Gavin Hastings for one game of six penalties converted in the 18-0 win over Italy which ensured that Scotland would not earn the wooden spoon for the second year running.

In the Six Nations Championship of 2006 Chris was one of Scotland's best players, scoring invaluable points through penalties and tries. He kicked an amazing 17 from 19 shots at goal.

He was the BBC's full-back of the Six Nations in 2005, and runner up in 2006. He was also second highest points scorer in 2006 with 57 (47 from kicks), despite Scotland scoring the second lowest amount of points (78) in the Championship.

[edit] The Lion that did not roar

Due to Paterson's ultra-reliable kicking and mazy, elusive running from the full back position in the Six Nations Championship 2005, especially in the Calcutta Cup game, he was thought to have almost certainly ensured a call-up by Sir Clive Woodward for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005. However, controversionally, he was not picked, with Woodward widely criticised for picking a squad based around his World Cup winning England team of 2003.

His play is reminiscent of the great Andy Irvine or Christian Cullen, but some feel he should be given more of a chance at fly half, especially as this is not a position where Scotland has strength in depth.

[edit] See also

• Gregor Townsend, another former pupil of Galashiels Academy

[edit] External links

• Paterson backs Edinburgh coaches. The Scotsman, August 11, 2006
• Paterson back as Gunners captain, BBC, July 26, 2006
• Jovial Paterson gets serious over Springboks - The Scotsman, June 3, 2006
• Paterson reigns on Dragon's Parade with majestic display - The Scotsman, May 15, 2006
• Six Nations frustration fuels Paterson craving for success - The Scotsman, March 25, 2006
• Speaking my mind could have resulted in chop, says hero Paterson - The Scotsman, March 22, 2006
• Paterson wins further recognition - BBC website, May 7, 2005
• Paterson could still be solution at stand-off - The Scotsman, March 30, 2005
• Paterson praise is Scots' only crumb of comfort - The Scotsman, March 21, 2005
• The cap fits as Paterson clocks up 50 The Scotsman, November 27, 2004