Former British and Irish Lions captain Ronnie Dawson, who was also Ireland skipper, has died aged 92.
Dublin-born Dawson played in six Tests as Lions captain, later equaling Martin Johnson’s record, and led the team to their only win against New Zealand at the Eden Park fortress. That was a 9-6 win on the 1959 tour.
Former Leinster hooker Dawson also played 27 times for Ireland between 1958 and 1965, representing the Barbarians.
Dawson became part of the Lions coaching set-up in 1968 and became Ireland’s first national team coach in 1969, a role he held for three years.
Later in his career as a manager, Dawson was a member of the Rugby World Cup organizing committee for the inaugural tournament in 1987 and was President of the Irish Rugby Football Union for the 198990 season.
The IRFU announced that Dawson died on Friday.
“Ronnie Dawson was an iconic figure in Irish and international rugby whose influence transcended the ages,” IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts said on the association’s website.
“He was a quintessential leader and left a lasting legacy that will never be forgotten.”
