Ninian Jamieson Finlay (31 January 1858 – 7 March 1936[1]) was an international rugby player for Scotland.[2] He played nine caps for Scotland between 1875 – 1881.[2] He is generally considered to be the youngest player ever to play for Scotland. He was seventeen years and thirty six days old when he played his first cap against England on 8 March 1875.[3] He eagerly competes for this record against Charles Reid, who was the same age when he played his first cap. Reid, however, was a day older because of an extra leap year day when he capped in 1881.[3]
Finlay was attending Edinburgh Academy when he played his first cap for Scotland.[3]
He later played for Edinburgh Academicals[2] and Edinburgh University RFC.[1]
Finlay played for Edinburgh District.[5]
He played for East of Scotland District in 1876.[6]
The first historian of Scottish rugby, R.J. Phillips, said of Ninian Finlay: "There was never such glamour and reputation attached to any Scottish player till A.R. Don Wauchope reached the zenith of his powers."[7]
In later life he was a Writer to the Signet.[1]
Ninian was the brother of James Finlay, who played four caps for Scotland (1871–75), Arthur Finlay, who received a single cap (1875)[2] and Robert Finlay, 1st Viscount Finlay.
All three brothers played in the 1875 0-0 draw against England at Raeburn Place, with James drawing his last cap and Arthur and Ninian drawing their first.[4]
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