The Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre passed away on May 17 at the age of 61 after a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma surrounded by family.

Tributes poured in for Hastings after the desperately sad news, with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, one of his many former teammates, saying: "Scott always brought positivity and energy into everything he did, from his playing career then into the past couple of decades as a widely travelled and respected commentator.

"His passing is a huge loss for Scottish rugby, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends. Rest in peace, Scott."

Former England hooker Brian Moore, who toured with Hastings on two Lions Tours in 1989 and 1993, was live on the BBC for the final round of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations when the news was announced.

He paid an emotional tribute to his friend.

“I got to know Scott Hastings very well on two Lions tours, Australia and New Zealand,” said Moore.

“He was a roommate of mine on several occasions and the man I got to know very well was a man of huge integrity, honesty and empathy. As a testament to any human being’s legacy that is all that you can say.

“Those of you who did know Scott know what we’ve lost, those in the wider rugby world who didn’t know him, let me just say that rugby is much the poorer for his passing but very much the better for his being.”

Hastings, like older brother Gavin, played his club rugby for Watsonians, earning the first of 65 Scotland caps in 1986.

Over the course of an 11-year international career, he was a bedrock of the Scottish midfield, memorably helping them to Grand Slam glory in 1990.

In the decider against England, his last-gasp tackle on Rory Underwood denied a certain try and was crucial to Scotland coming out on top.

It came a year after his first experience with the Lions, for whom he was selected for the 1989 Tour to Australia.

After missing the first Test, Hastings was recalled for the second, making his Lions Test debut in the Battle of Ballymore alongside Jeremy Guscott.

Speaking to the Lions a few years ago for our First, Last & Best series, Hastings joked about what he had let himself in for that day.

But what was clear throughout was how much the history of the Lions meant to him and the responsibility he felt when preparing to run out in the red jersey.

He said: “My favourite time in a British & Irish Lions jersey was undoubtedly when you’re in a changing room just before you’re going out to represent some fantastic players.

“It was always about who you represented from previous Tours and teams, some of the famous names that have worn the jersey.”

Hastings was outstanding in the second and third Tests as the Lions came from 1-0 down to win a Test series for the first, and to date, only time.

Despite huge competition, he was a strong contender for a Test jersey again in 1993 when the Lions toured New Zealand.

However, in a tour match against Otago, he suffered a fractured cheekbone while trying to make a tackle on Josh Kronfeld and saw his Tour ended before the Test series.

It was a devastating blow, but he took it with typical good grace and was able to reflect with pride years later.

He said of the experience: “Suddenly your Tour is over like that. You know your life dream has gone, you can’t play for the Lions against New Zealand and you’re going home on your own.

“But you look back at the high times, the good times, that’s what you always look back on. You put the low times to the side and I think that’s what makes the Lions such a special environment.”

On that Tour, Hastings made history alongside skipper Gavin, the first brothers to represent the Lions on consecutive Tours.

By the time he retired, Hastings was Scotland’s most capped rugby player and he continued to be a much-loved face across the rugby world through his broadcasting responsibilities.

The British & Irish Lions send sincere condolences to all of Hastings’ family and friends.