Quick Facts
ScorpioBiography
Robert Neilson was a Scotland international rugby union player.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He also played for West of Scotland FC.
Provincial career
He was capped for Glasgow District in 1898.
International career
He was capped six times for Scotland between 1898-1900.
Administrative career
He was President of the Scottish Rugby Union for the period 1923 to 1924.
Family
His father was James Neilson, an Ironmaster and second cousin of Walter Montgomerie Neilson and his mother was Jane Thomson, daughter of George Thomson, the famous Glasgow shipbuilder. He attended Merchiston Castle School.
He was the brother of George, Gordon and Willie Neilson who were also capped for Scotland. In 1891, he made his debut, along with his brother George in the game against Wales - it is the only time that brothers have debuted together for Scotland, with the exception of the joint debut of Gavin and Scott Hastings. One of the four Neilson brothers played in each of the twenty five matches between Willie and George's debut in 1891, until 1899, when Robert had to withdraw from the Calcutta Cup line-up after breaking his nose. Robert played another match in 1900.
Along with his brothers, Willie and George, he was a president of the Scottish Rugby Union.