James William Telfer

James William Telfer

James William Telfer was born in Midlothian on 17 March 1940 and educated at Gala Academy and Heriot-Watt University before qualifying as a teacher. He played for Melrose and captained Scotland in 12 of his 25 internationals between 1964 and 1970. His first four caps were as a flanker before switching to his specialist number 8 position. He coached Scotland between 1980 and 1984. Jim Telfer played for the British Isles on two tours: 23 matches, including five tests, in Australasia in 1966, and 11 matches, including three tests, in South Africa in 1968. He was also a successful coach of the British Isles on the 1997 tour of South Africa. He played for the Barbarians against Australia at Cardiff Arms Park in 1967.