John Young Rutherford (born 4 October 1955) is a former Scotland international rugby union player. His regular playing position was Fly half.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Rutherford played for Selkirk. Rutherford was nicknamed Rud or Ruddie.

Provincial career

Rutherford was capped by South of Scotland.

International career

Rutherford gained 42 caps at fly-half for Scotland between 1979 and 1987. Richard Bath writes of him that: Rutherford was a major figure in Scotland's 1984 Grand Slam. In the warm up for the 1987 world cup he injured his knee in an unofficial game against Bermuda. He consequently didn't last long in the opening game for in the 1987 World Cup against. This proved to be his last international appearance He partnered scrum-half Roy Laidlaw in 35 tests, at the time the record for any international half-back pairing. Richard Bath writes of this partnership that: Rutherford was chosen to tour with the British and Irish Lions in 1983, being picked to play in the test team at inside centre. Rutherford also played for the Rest of the World XV.

Business career

After his exit from Scottish Rugby, John Rutherford went on to work in the financial sector, and direct a financial consultancy. Rutherford is a Director of The Bill McLaren Foundation alongside Andy Irvine.