SCOTTISH Rugby revealed it was saddened to learn of the death of John Foster, one of the most influential rugby coaches the country has produced. He passed away after a long illness this morning.

From playing during this schooldays at Dunfermline HS and Gala RFC, to coaching the team at his former seat of learning, John went on to pilot the players at both Midlands Schools and Scottish Schools.

He joined the staff at Dollar Academy in 1983 where he coached every age group, winning the Schools Cup on three consecutive occasions from 2003 to 2005.

A volunteer on the Midlands and Scottish Schools committees and the Scottish Age Grade Council, he was at the forefront of school rugby development for three decades.

He also coached at Heriot's and in 2011 received the Spirit of Rugby award, as recognition from Scottish Rugby for his immense contribution to the game.

Former Scotland captain Rory Lawson – whose love of the game, like that of his fellow internationalists Graeme Morrison and John Barclay, was nurtured by John Foster at Dollar - tonight paid this tribute: "I am incredibly sorry to hear of the passing of John Foster. I have a plethora of incredible memories of him from my time at Dollar Academy and in my days since leaving school.

"I credit much of my appetite and enjoyment in rugby during my youth to him and he was the master of teaching the values of rugby alongside the skills required to play the game.

"Respect, humility and hard work were just three of the many good things that John armed every one of his students with.

"Beyond school I will never forget being in Buenos Aires on tour with Scotland with team mates John Barclay and Graeme Morrison, for whom 'JF' was house master. We had just won the two-match series against Argentina and the first thing we wanted to do was call him to celebrate after a few drinks. A measure of the regard we all held him in.

"He will be missed a huge amount but his legend and legacy will continue to live on. My thoughts are with his wife Joan at this difficult time.” Scottish Rugby extended its sincere condolences to John Foster's family and friends and said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.