The spirit of 1990 ... Scotland celebrate what David Sole insists was a sporting win not a political statement © Getty Images

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On the eve of the Scottish referendum, former Scotland captain David Sole has said he has been subjected to abuse for his support of the 'No' campaign.

Sole is best remembered for leading Scotland to victory in their 1990 Grand Slam decider against the favourites England at Murrayfield, a game which even at the time was portrayed by many as more significant than just a sporting contest.

"A lot of people like to say there was a political undercurrent to that game but frankly I dismiss that every time someone raises it," Sole told the Daily Telegraph. "At the end of the day it was another game of rugby and we were playing for exactly the same as what England were playing for and that made it just incredibly exciting and incredibly compelling."

Sole said he and other team-mates decided to publically back the 'No' campaign after Alex Salmond indicated the whole Scotland team would be likely to vote Yes.

"That really irritates a lot of us," Sole said. "Team Scotland was massive at the Commonwealth Games. My daughter Gemma was lucky to have been in Team Scotland, representing Scotland in the netball team and yet for Alex Salmond to start talking about 'Team Scotland' implies that if you not in his 'Team Scotland' then you are not a proud Scot, which is just utter nonsense.

"He or the SNP do not have exclusive rights to 'Team Scotland' in my view. I am Scottish and a very proud Scot but equally I am a very proud Briton as well. I just felt the sense that it would be a good thing to express our views and perspective on what the implications are [of Scotland leaving the UK]."

However, his stance meant he was attacked and abused on social media. "You should be able to express your views without being trolled by a bunch of 'cybernats' who probably have nothing better to do than sit on Twitter and give abuse to people who want to come out and express their view.

"I got abuse last weekend, all the guys who were on Twitter did. I have come out for [the No campaign] and I have had people trolling me saying that I am an '80-minute patriot' and all this sort of stuff. As far as I am concerned it is irrelevant what their views are. The point is that everyone is entitled to express their opinion, whatever that is. "

But Sole warned whatever the outcome, harm had been done. "For me it has done more to divide our country than anything over the last 100 years and I really worry that whatever happens on Thursday and Friday, it is going to be very difficult to reconcile when the dust settles."