View source for Chris Paterson

{{Short description|Scotland international rugby union player}}
{{about||the rugby league player|Chris Paterson (rugby league)|people with a similar name|Chris Patterson (disambiguation)}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Chris Paterson
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]
| image = Chris Paterson2.jpg
| birth_name = Christopher Douglas Paterson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/XUHAlzJ4n_oOTp3ThWdKLrMgwtQ/appointments|title=UK Government Companies Register - Christopher Paterson|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|3|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], Scotland
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}} 
| weight = {{convert|12|st|8|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| ru_position = [[Fullback (rugby union)|Fullback]] / [[Fly-half (rugby union)|Fly-half]] / [[Wing (rugby union)|Wing]] 
| ru_currentclub = Edinburgh Rugby 
| ru_nationalteam = [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]
| ru_nationalcaps = 109
| ru_nationalpoints = (809)
| ru_ntupdate = 1 October 2011
| ru_nationalyears = 1999–2011
| ru_amateuryears = 1996–1999
| ru_amupdate = 24 July 2007
| ru_amateurclubs = [[Gala RFC]]  
| ru_clubyears = 1998<br/>1999–2007<br/>2007–2008<br/>2008–2012
| ru_proclubs = [[Glasgow Warriors|Glasgow]] <br/>[[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]] <br/>[[Gloucester RFC|Gloucester]]   <br/>[[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]]
| ru_clubcaps = 2 <br/> 89 <br />14 <br />67
| ru_clubpoints = (0)<br/>(530)<br />(38)<br/>(529) 
| ru_clubupdate = 5 May 2012
| occupation = Rugby ambassador and coach
| school = [[Galashiels Academy]]
| university =

}}

'''Christopher Douglas Paterson''', [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] (born 30 March 1978) is an ambassador and specialist coach for the [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] and [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]] rugby union teams. He is a former professional rugby union player who played for Scotland and, for the most part of his career, Edinburgh. Paterson is Scotland's record points scorer with 809 points and second most-capped male player with 109 caps. He was capable of playing in a range of positions, including [[Fullback (rugby union)|fullback]], [[Wing (rugby union)|wing]] and [[Fly-half (rugby union)|fly-half]].

Paterson retired from international rugby in December 2011 and as a professional player in May 2012.

==Early career==

Paterson started his rugby career with hometown club [[Gala RFC|Gala]], the highlight being a solo try that won Gala the 1999 Scottish Cup at [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]]. Soon after Paterson turned professional by signing for [[Glasgow Warriors|Glasgow]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12344372.No_headline/|title = No headline}}</ref> where he played only two games before signing for [[Edinburgh Rugby]]. In becoming a professional player he dropped out of the [[University of Edinburgh]] where he was studying to become a PE teacher.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Profile-Chris-Paterson.6070657.jp | location=Edinburgh | work=The Scotsman | first=Richard | last=Bath | title=Profile: Chris Paterson | date=14 February 2010}}</ref>

==Edinburgh==

From 2000 until 2002 Paterson played in the Scottish/Welsh League, the predecessor to the competition now known as [[Pro14]] (prior to the addition of Irish teams). He was part of the Edinburgh squad that reached the Heineken Cup quarter finals in 2003–04. For seven years he was a mainstay of the Edinburgh squad. With the ongoing dispute between the SRU and then [[Edinburgh Rugby]] owner Bob Carruthers over the refusal to release Edinburgh players for a pre-2007 World Cup training camp, Paterson left Edinburgh for [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] by mutual consent. On 24 July 2007, Paterson signed a three-year contract with Gloucester.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/gloucester/6914437.stm | work=BBC News | title=Paterson makes move to Gloucester | date=24 July 2007}}</ref>

==Gloucester==
Paterson's spell with [[Gloucester RFC|Gloucester]] was largely disappointing due to limited game time throughout the 2007–08 season. It was announced on 2 May 2008 that Paterson would return to [[Edinburgh Rugby]] for the 2008–09 season<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com/304_3741.php |title=Gloucester Rugby Club : Paterson to join Edinburgh next season |access-date=2008-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508214622/http://www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com/304_3741.php |archive-date=8 May 2008}}</ref>
He played 14 games during his stay scoring 38 points, the highlight being a 50-metre breakaway try in the derby game against [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]<ref>[https://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2008/01/chris-patersons-still-got-gas.html Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Chris Patersons still got the gas<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Edinburgh==
Paterson re-signed for [[Edinburgh Rugby]] upon leaving Gloucester and has remained a fixture in the line up ever since.
One of Paterson's top skills – his goal-kicking – was typified in [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh Rugby's]] last home game of the 2008–09 [[Pro14|Celtic League]] season which saw a 43–3 home win against [[Dragons (rugby union)|Newport Gwent Dragons]] on 9 May 2009. Paterson scored 28 points, kicking nine from nine with five penalties, four conversions and a try.

As of 4 April 2012, Paterson is the 5th highest points scorer in [[Pro14|Pro12]] history with 778 points (21T 113C 4D 145P).<ref name="rabodirectpro12.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/statzone/records.php#2349 |title=RaboDirectPRO12 : Stats : Player Records<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=16 September 2011 |archive-date=16 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616075244/http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/statzone/records.php#2349 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He played his last professional match against [[Benetton Rugby|Benetton Treviso]] on 5 May 2012 at [[Murrayfield Stadium]]. Despite an unusually long absence from the score sheet partly owing to injury, Paterson scored [[Edinburgh Rugby]]'s third try of the match leading to a 44–21 victory.

==International career==

===Early Career 1999–2003===

Paterson earned his first cap for [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] against [[Spain national rugby union team|Spain]] in the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]] as a fullback. This was his only appearance during the 1999 World Cup. Scotland went on to reach the quarter finals before losing 30–18 to [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]].

In Paterson's next appearance during the [[2000 Six Nations Championship]] game versus [[France national rugby union team|France]], Paterson scored his first points for Scotland converting two penalties and a conversion in the 16–28 loss. Later that year Paterson scored his first Scotland try during the 2000 tour of New Zealand during the 48–14 loss at [[Eden Park]], [[Auckland]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=142689 |title=Rugby: Trying times as All Blacks sink Scotland 48-14 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=2 July 2000 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>

During the subsequent years Paterson became a fixture in the [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] team. His consistent performance for club and country earned him a place in Scotland's [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] squad.

During Scotland's opening [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] game Paterson scored two tries and kicked a conversion and a penalty during a 32–11 win against [[Japan national rugby union team|Japan]]. In the next game against the [[United States national rugby union team|United States]] Paterson scored 19 points, including a try, during a 39–15 win. Paterson played in the subsequent win and loss against [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]] and [[France national rugby union team|France]] to help Scotland qualify for the quarter final stage. In the [[2003 Rugby World Cup#Quarter-finals|2003 Rugby World cup quarter-finals]], Scotland lost 33–16 to [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] at [[Lang Park]], [[Brisbane]].

Paterson scored 71 points during the [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] and was named the team's player of the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/rugby_world_cup/team_pages/scotland/3276977.stm |title=Paterson named top Scot |work=BBC News |date=17 November 2003 |access-date=11 February 2017}}</ref>

===2003–2007===
On 15 November 2004 during Scotland's record 100–8 win<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/4002983.stm | work=BBC News | title=Scotland 100-8 Japan | date=13 November 2004}}</ref> 
over [[Japan national rugby union team|Japan]] game at [[McDiarmid Park]], [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]] he overtook [[Andy Irvine (rugby union)|Andy Irvine]] to become Scotland's second highest points scorer, behind [[Gavin Hastings]]. He scored 40 points (three tries, 11 conversions and one penalty). This remains a record points haul for a Scottish player in a test match.

Two weeks later on 27 November 2004 against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] he became the youngest, and lightest, Scottish player ever to earn 50 caps, aged 26, and weighing in at 78&nbsp;kg.

On 26 February 2005, Paterson equalled the scoring record set by [[Gavin Hastings]] for one game of six penalties converted in the 18–13 win over [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]]. Paterson was the BBC's full-back of the [[2005 Six Nations Championship]].

As a result of his incredibly reliable kicking and elusive running from full-back during the [[2005 Six Nations Championship]], especially in the [[Calcutta Cup]] game, Paterson's omission from [[Clive Woodward]]'s squad for the [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand]] surprised many critics and fans alike. This fueled criticism that Woodward relied too much upon his England team who had won the [[2003 Rugby World Cup]]. Ultimately, Woodward's 2005 Lions were unsuccessful losing the test series 3–0.

Paterson played as part of a resurgent Scotland team of the [[2006 Six Nations Championship]] who recorded wins over [[France national rugby union team|France]], [[England national rugby union team|England]] and [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] to finish third in the table. This remains Scotland's best finish since the 5 Nations became the 6 Nations with the addition of Italy in 2000.

Paterson was captain during the [[2007 Six Nations Championship]] as [[Jason White (rugby union)|Jason White]] was injured.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-nations-scotland-idUKL1450660320070314 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307155050/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rugby-nations-scotland-idUKL1450660320070314 | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 March 2016 | work=Reuters | title=Hadden makes seven changes to Scotland team against France | date=14 March 2007}}</ref>

Paterson was picked in Scotland's [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] squad. This his third World Cup campaign. Similarly, with the previous two in 1999 & 2003 Scotland exited in the quarter final stage losing 19–13 to [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] at the [[Stade de France]], [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]. Paterson played in all five of [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland's]] games scoring 46 points. He deployed a flawless kicking performance on the final stage group game, a [[2007 Rugby World Cup Pool C|decider against Italy]] (against whom they had suffered a home defeat at the [[2007 Six Nations|previous Six Nations]]): Paterson secured qualification by scoring all points of Scotland's narrow 18–16 victory, with an impeccable 6 out of 6 kicking performance.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/paterson-more-to-come-1005583 | work=Manchester Evening News | title=HPaterson: More to come | date=30 September 2007}}</ref>

===Later career 2008–2011===

On 9 February 2008, Paterson earned his 83rd cap for Scotland against [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]], passing the record of [[Gregor Townsend]] for a Scottish back. Scotland then went on to lose this match.

Later that year on 14 June 2008 he won his 88th cap to break [[Scott Murray (rugby union)|Scott Murray]]'s Scotland appearance record and was named man of the match in Scotland's 26–14 victory over [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] in [[Buenos Aires]]. 
During the 2009 Autumn International against [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]], Paterson scored winning points in Scotland's historic 9–8 win. This was Scotland's first win over Australia for 27 years.

On 7 February 2010, Paterson won his 99th cap in Scotland's opening [[2010 Six Nations Championship]] match against [[France national rugby union team|France]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article7012105.ece|title=Chris Paterson to win 99th cap as Scotland ring the changes for France match|date=2010-02-02|work=The Times|access-date=2010-02-02 | location=London | first=Lewis | last=Stuart}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On Saturday 13 February 2010 at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]], Paterson became the first player to reach 100 caps for Scotland when he played in the defeat against [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]].<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/sixnations/rugby/story/110426.html Wales claim a stunning triumph | Live Rugby Match Pack | ESPN Scrum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the same game Paterson was seriously injured, suffering a split kidney which forced him to miss the rest of the season. In the same game [[Rory Lamont]] suffered cruciate ligament damage which ended his season, and [[Thom Evans]] suffered a potentially life-threatening neck injury in a collision with [[Lee Byrne]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/8513669.stm | work=BBC News | title=Evans to undergo second neck op | date=16 February 2010}}</ref> This injury forced Evans to retire from rugby aged just 25.<ref>[http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Spine-injury-forces-Tom-Evans.6393708.jp Spine injury forces Thom Evans to retire from rugby - Sport - Scotsman.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Later that year on Saturday 20 November 2010 Paterson gained his 101st cap in a 21–17 win against current world champions, [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]], at [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]] coming on for the final 8 minutes.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/9207058.stm | work=BBC News | first=Colin | last=Moffat | title=Scotland 21-17 South Africa | date=20 November 2010}}</ref> Along with [[Nikki Walker]] and [[Nathan Hines]], he was one of three players in that match who had also been in the Scotland team that beat South Africa in 2002.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/nov/18/rugbyunion.scotlandrugbyunionteam | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Steve | last=Bierley | title=Scots think outside the Boks | date=18 November 2002}}</ref>

During the [[2011 Six Nations Championship]] Paterson was the 23rd man in the squad when he travelled to [[Paris]] but played no part. Following Scotland's poor defeat to [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] in the second game of the tournament, Paterson was recalled to the starting 15 for the [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], [[England national rugby union team|England]] and [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] games. In addition to scoring 31 points with the boot in these three matches he justified his inclusion with an impressive try-saving tackle on [[Ben Foden]], when the England Fullback seemed certain to score.<ref>[https://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2011/03/chris-patersons-fantastic-try-saving.html Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Chris Paterson's fantastic try saving tackle on Ben Foden<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This helped to keep Scotland in with a chance of winning the game until the last few minutes, although they eventually lost 22–16.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/9422279.stm | work=BBC News | first=James | last=Standley | title=England 22-16 Scotland | date=13 March 2011}}</ref> The following week he made an almost identical try-saving tackle against [[Luke McLean]] during Scotland's 21–8 victory over [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sport.uk.msn.com/rugby-union/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=156598417 |title=Paterson desperate for World Cup place - Rugby Union News &#124; MSN Sport UK<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=23 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827190903/http://sport.uk.msn.com/rugby-union/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=156598417 |archive-date=27 August 2011 }}</ref> In the latter match, Paterson also became only the fifth player to score more than 400 points in the history of the [[Six Nations Championship|Five/Six Nations Tournament]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/9428170.stm | work=BBC News | first=Colin | last=Moffat | title=Scotland 21-8 Italy | date=19 March 2011}}</ref>

Testament to Paterson's committed performances during the [[2011 Six Nations Championship]] he featured in several rugby journalists 'Team of the Championship'<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/sixnations2011/rugby/story/136778.html?fb_ref=homepage Six Nations – Team of the Championship | Live Rugby Features | ESPN Scrum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/mar/23/six-nations-your-team-of-tournament | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Alan | last=Gardner | title=Six Nations 2011: Your team of the championship | date=23 March 2011}}</ref>

On 22 August 2011 Paterson was selected in [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]'s [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] squad meaning this would be in fourth [[Rugby World Cup]].<ref>[http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/2058/2/ Scottish Rugby – Scotland Squad Named For Irb Rugby World Cup<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324025240/http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/2058/2/ |date=24 March 2012 }}</ref>

Paterson scored 14 points in Scotland's opening game of the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] in the 34–24 victory over [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]]<ref name="scotlandrugbyteam.org">{{Cite web |url=http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/content/view/149/86/ |title=Scotland Rugby Team Website<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=25 May 2009 |archive-date=20 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220143556/http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/content/view/149/86/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/scotland/rugby/story/148621.html Scotland survive mighty scare | Live Rugby Match Pack | ESPN Scrum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In Scotland's second pool game of the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] during the 15–6 victory over [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]] Paterson made a substitute appearance in the 70th minute his 13th World Cup appearance<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/match/93468.html Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Georgia v Scotland at Invercargill, 14 Sep 2011<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> one short of Doddie Weir's record of 14 World Cup appearances.<ref>[http://content.yudu.com/A1to3h/SRURWCMediaGuide11/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scottishrugby.org%2F SRU RWC Media Guide 2011<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

In Scotland's third pool game in the 13–12 defeat against [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] Paterson equalled Doddie Weir's record of 14 appearances scoring a penalty.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/15041494 |title=Rugby World Cup 2011: Argentina 13-12 Scotland |first=Clive |last=Lindsay |work=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2011 |access-date=22 March 2022}}</ref>

In what transpired to be Chris Paterson's 109th and final appearance in the ultimate game of Pool B against [[England national rugby union team|England]] in Auckland, Scotland required victory to progress to the quarter-final stage. The game finished 16–12 in England's favour with [[Chris Ashton]] scoring a last minute try to knock Scotland out at the pool stage for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/15124512 |title=Rugby World Cup 2011: England 16-12 Scotland |first=Tom |last=Fordyce |work=BBC Sport |date=1 October 2011 |access-date=22 March 2022}}</ref> In this game he set a record for the most Scotland World Cup appearances with 15 and furthered his own Scotland point's scoring record to 809.     
  
Paterson announced his retirement from international rugby in December 2011; at the time, he held many of the most significant Scottish career records. His 109 caps was more than 20 clear of then-second-placed [[Scott Murray (rugby union)|Scott Murray]]; his 96 starts are also the most in Scotland history. He remained Scotland's most-capped player until [[Ross Ford]] overtook him in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fiji v Scotland: Ross Ford to eclipse Chris Paterson as record cap holder|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40364140|access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> Paterson was also involved in more defeats (65) than any other Scotland internationalist. Despite not being a regular kicker until after he had amassed 26 caps, he retired as Scotland's all-time leader in points (809), conversions (86) and penalties (140). Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his Scotland career was his versatility; he retired as one of Scotland's three top cap-winners at two different positions. Paterson's 49 caps on the wing were third to [[Kenny Logan]] (63) and [[Sean Lamont]] (52); his 43 caps as a fullback were also third, this time to [[Gavin Hastings]] (61) and [[Andy Irvine (rugby union)|Andy Irvine]] (47).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scotland/rugby/story/156816.html |title=Quite a career |first=Huw |last=Richards |work=ESPN Scrum |date=31 December 2011 |access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> In addition, he has the most caps of any player from the Home Unions ([[Rugby Football Union|England]], [[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]], [[Scottish Rugby Union|Scotland]], [[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]]) who did not appear in a Test with the [[British & Irish Lions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/blogs/sport/story/255365.html |title= Failing to get that Lions recognition |first=John |last=Griffiths |work=Ask Steven |publisher=[[ESPN (UK)|ESPN.co.uk]] |date=7 November 2013 |access-date=7 November 2013}}</ref>

===Coaching and rugby ambassador 2012 onwards===
In May 2012 it was announced that Paterson would take on the dual role of specialist coach and ambassador with the [[Scottish Rugby Union]].<ref>[http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/2823/2/ Scottish Rugby – Paterson To Inspire Next Generation<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511055917/http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/2823/2/ |date=11 May 2012 }}</ref>

==Kicking Accuracy==

During his time as [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]'s and [[Edinburgh Rugby]]'s goal kicker Paterson amassed 1860 points.

Paterson successfully kicked 36 consecutive goals for [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] between 11 August 2007 and 7 June 2008, not missing a single attempt during the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] or the [[2008 Six Nations Championship]]. This run was brought to an end during 7 June 2008 Test against [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]]. This is believed to have been a world record for consecutive successful kicks at goal in Test play since such statistics were first kept in the late 1980s; this record was broken in 2010 by [[Morné Steyn]] of [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/123069.html |title=Morné Steyn's goal-kicking record, Tri-Nations clean-sweeps, Scottish captains and Shane Sullivan |work=Ask John |first=John |last=Griffiths |publisher=ESPN scrum |date=2010-09-13 |access-date=2010-10-18}}</ref> During the aforementioned Argentina match, Paterson also overtook [[Gavin Hastings]]' long standing Scotland points record of 667, as well as equalling [[Scott Murray (rugby union)|Scott Murray]]'s record of 87 caps for Scotland.

During his playing career he scored 809 points for [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] (22 Tries, 90 Conversions, 170 Penalties and 3 drop goals).<ref name="scotlandrugbyteam.org"/>

For [[Edinburgh Rugby]] Paterson has amassed 773 points (20T 113C 4D 145P)<ref name="rabodirectpro12.com"/> in the [[Pro14|Pro12]] and 287 points (9T,40C,0D,54P)in the [[Heineken Cup]]<ref>[http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/statistics/players_statistics_archive.php?player=265&includeref=dynamic ERC : Statistics : Player Archive<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710201114/http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/statistics/players_statistics_archive.php?player=265&includeref=dynamic |date=10 July 2011 }}</ref> He retired from international duty on 21 December 2011, and from Edinburgh Rugby May 2012.

==Other==

Paterson's high profile in Scotland has been used in marketing campaigns for several companies. In 2011 he appeared on cereal boxes for [[Scott's Porage Oats]] along with Ross Ford and [[Thom Evans]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/new-porridge-proves-truly-scrum-ptious-scots-rugby-stars-appear-on-iconic-cereal-pack-1-784960 |title=New porridge proves truly scrum-ptious: Scots rugby stars appear on iconic cereal pack |work=The Scotsman |date=5 January 2010 |access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref> MacSween [[Haggis]] used him to front a new product range<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://perfectstormdigital.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/macsween-haggis-shoot-with-rugby-ace-chris-paterson/.|title=Macsween Haggis shoot with rugby ace Chris Paterson|date=4 February 2010}}</ref>

Paterson was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in the [[2012 New Year Honours]] for services to Scottish rugby.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=60009 |date=31 December 2011 |page=20 |supp=y}}</ref><ref name="MBE">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/16364925 | title=Chris Paterson appointed MBE in New Year's honours list | work=[[BBC Sport]] | access-date=31 December 2011 | date=31 December 2011}}</ref> In June 2012 he received an honorary [[Doctor of Science]] (DSc) degree from [[Edinburgh Napier University]].<ref>[http://www.napier.ac.uk/media/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=301 News Details<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===International tries===
{{updated|22 March 2022.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/13266.html?class=1;orderby=date;template=results;type=player;view=match|title=Chris Paterson|website=ESPN|access-date=22 March 2022|archive-date=22 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322163807/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/13266.html?class=1;orderby=date;template=results;type=player;view=match|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Try!! Opposing Team !! Venue !! Competition !! Date !! Result !! Score 
|-
| 1 
| {{ru|New Zealand}}
| [[Eden Park]], [[Auckland]]
| [[2000 Scotland rugby union tour of New Zealand]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2000|07|01}}
| Loss
| 48-'''14'''
|-
| 2
| {{ru|USA}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2000 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2000 Autumn Internationals]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2000|11|04}}
| Win
| '''53'''-6
|-
| 3 
| {{ru|WAL}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2001 Six Nations Championship|2001 Six Nations]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2001|02|17}}
| Draw
| '''28'''-28
|-
| 4
| {{ru|Canada}}
| [[Thunderbird Stadium]], [[Vancouver]]
| [[2002 Scotland rugby union tour of North America]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2002|06|15}}
| Loss
| 26-'''23'''
|- 
| 5
| rowspan=2|{{ru|USA}}
| rowspan=2|[[Boxer Stadium]], [[San Francisco]]
| rowspan=2|[[2002 Scotland rugby union tour of North America]]
| rowspan=2|{{dts|format=dmy|2002|06|22}}
| rowspan=2|Win
| rowspan=2|23-'''65'''
|-
| 6
|-
| 7 
| {{ru|Romania}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2002 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2002 Autumn Internationals]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2002|11|09}}
| Win
| '''37'''-14
|-
| 8 
| {{ru|WAL}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2003 Six Nations Championship|2003 Six Nations]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2003|03|08}}
| Win
| '''30'''-22
|-
| 9
| {{ru|ITA}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2003 Six Nations Championship|2003 Six Nations]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2003|03|29}}
| Win
| '''33'''-25
|-
| 10
| {{ru|South Africa}}
| [[Kings Park Stadium]], [[Durban]]
| [[2003 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2003|06|07}}
| Loss
| 29-'''25'''
|-
| 11
| rowspan=2|{{ru|Japan}}
| rowspan=2|[[Dairy Farmers Stadium|Willow Sports Complex]], [[Townsville]]
| rowspan=2|[[2003 Rugby World Cup]]
| rowspan=2|{{dts|format=dmy|2003|10|12}}
| rowspan=2|Win
| rowspan=2|'''32'''-11
|-
| 12
|-
| 13
| {{ru|USA}}
| [[Suncorp Stadium]], [[Brisbane]]
| [[2003 Rugby World Cup]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2003|10|20}}
| Win
| '''39'''-15
|-
| 14
| rowspan=3|{{ru|Japan}}
| rowspan=3|[[McDiarmid Park]], [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]]
| rowspan=3|[[2004 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2004 Autumn Internationals]]
| rowspan=3|{{dts|format=dmy|2004|11|13}}
| rowspan=3|Win
| rowspan=3|'''100'''-8
|-
| 15
|-
| 16
|-
| 17
| {{ru|WAL}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2005 Six Nations Championship|2005 Six Nations]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|03|13}}
| Loss
| '''22'''-46
|-
| 18
| {{ru|Romania}}
| [[Dinamo Stadium (Bucharest)|Dinamo Stadium]], [[Bucharest]]
| [[2005 mid-year rugby union tests]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2005|06|05}}
| Win
| 19-'''39'''
|-
| 19
| {{ru|WAL}}
| [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
| [[2006 Six Nations Championship|2006 Six Nations]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2006|02|12}}
| Loss
| 28-'''18'''
|-
| 20
| {{ru|ITA}}
| [[Stadio Flaminio]], [[Rome]]
| [[2006 Six Nations Championship|2006 Six Nations]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2006|03|18}}
| Win
| 10-'''13'''
|-
| 21
| {{ru|ITA}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2007 Six Nations Championship|2007 Six Nations]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|02|24}}
| Loss
| '''17'''-37
|-
| 22
| {{ru|Romania}}
| [[Murrayfield Stadium]], [[Edinburgh]]
| [[2007 Rugby World Cup]]
| {{dts|format=dmy|2007|09|18}}
| Win
| '''42'''-0
|}

==See also==

*[[Duncan Paterson]], his uncle and former Scottish international
*[[Gregor Townsend]], another former pupil of [[Galashiels Academy]]
*[[List of rugby union Test caps leaders]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/content/view/149/86/ Scotland profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220143556/http://www.scotlandrugbyteam.org/content/view/149/86/ |date=20 February 2012 }}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2007/12/17/chris_paterson_feature.shtml BBC Gloucestershire speak to Gloucester Rugby's Chris Paterson]{{dead link|date=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070313181208/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=1166662006 Paterson backs Edinburgh coaches]. The Scotsman, 11 August 2006
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/5218462.stm Paterson back as Gunners captain], BBC, 26 July 2006
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070313143640/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=819282006 Jovial Paterson gets serious over Springboks] – The Scotsman, 3 June 2006
* [http://sport.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=842&id=722472006 Paterson reigns on Dragon's Parade with majestic display] – The Scotsman, 15 May 2006
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070313143645/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=465432006 Six Nations frustration fuels Paterson craving for success] – The Scotsman, 25 March 2006
* [http://sport.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=197&id=450042006 Speaking my mind could have resulted in chop, says hero Paterson] – The Scotsman, 22 March 2006
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/scottish/4526165.stm Paterson wins further recognition] – BBC website, 7 May 2005
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060714144101/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=336492005 Paterson could still be solution at stand-off] – The Scotsman, 30 March 2005
* [http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby_international.cfm?id=302972005 Paterson praise is Scots' only crumb of comfort] – The Scotsman, 21 March 2005
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061010120700/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=1362892004 The cap fits as Paterson clocks up 50] The Scotsman, 27 November 2004
* [http://www.scottishrugby.org/sru/international/scotland/news.cfm?news_uuid=AB356BA4-D6C5-B1BA-AEDFB81047ACADB2 Chris Paterson Returns to Edinburgh]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Scottish Rugby Union, 2 May 2008
* {{ESPNscrum|13266}}

{{Scotland 1999 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{Scotland 2003 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{Scotland 2007 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{Scotland 2011 Rugby World Cup squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paterson, Chris}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Edinburgh Rugby players]]
[[Category:Gala RFC players]]
[[Category:Glasgow Warriors players]]
[[Category:Gloucester Rugby players]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:People educated at Galashiels Academy]]
[[Category:Rugby union fly-halves]]
[[Category:Rugby union fullbacks]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Rugby union wings]]
[[Category:Scotland international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Scottish rugby union coaches]]
[[Category:Scottish rugby union players]]
[[Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2003 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2011 Rugby World Cup players]]