Simon Marcus Taylor (born 17 August 1979) is a Scottish retired professional rugby union footballer who played for Bath Rugby, Stade Français and Edinburgh Rugby. He played as a back-row forward, usually a number eight. He played for Edinburgh for six seasons between 2000 and 2006 and in 2007 agreed a three-year deal with Stade Français joining them immediately after the 2007 World Cup. In the summer of 2010, Taylor signed for Bath Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership. He also represented Scotland and the British and Irish Lions. At the start of his rugby career, he played for Heriot's Former Pupils. Career Early career Born in Stirling, Taylor represented Scottish Schools in 1995–96 while he was at Morrison's Academy, and he went on to play for Scotland’s under-18, under-19, and under-21 teams. He had two seasons in the under-19 team, leading the Scots in the Junior World Championship in France in 1998. After five matches for the national under-21 side in 1998–1999 he went on to play in ten more under-21 internationals in 1999–2000, including the victory over the New Zealand Youth at Jedburgh in December and the draw with Australia during the 2000 Southern Hemisphere Alliance tournament in New Zealand. In that latter match Taylor scored a try. In 1999–2000 he played a pivotal role in Heriot's FP’s second successive club championship and was rewarded with a professional contract with Edinburgh Reivers at the beginning of season 2000–2001. 2000–2003 Taylor made his first appearance for Scotland in the November 2000 Autumn Test against the USA. In summer 2001 he made a try-scoring debut for the British & Irish Lions in their 116–10 victory over Western Australia before a knee injury unfortunately ended his tour and he returned to Scotland to pass the final exams of his law degree at the University of Edinburgh. He scored his first test try in the match against Canada on the 2002 tour in which he started at openside flanker and then made some pile-driving contributions when he was fielded at No 8 against the USA. He scored his first try in a Murrayfield Test match in Scotland’s 30–22 March 2003 win against Wales. He was named Lloyds TSB Man of the Match for his display against Italy in the 29–12 Scotland victory in February 2002. On 26 May 2002, Taylor was selected to play for the Barbarians against England. He scored twice,