Former Ireland and Lions captain Ronnie Dawson dies aged 92

Former Ireland and Lions captain, first Ireland coach and rugby administrator Ronnie Dawson has died at the age of 92.

The Dubliner, who played his club rugby for Wanderers FC, made a try-scoring international debut against Australia in 1958.

He enjoyed an illustrious career on the pitch, before serving Irish and international rugby in a number of administrative positions.

Dawson represented Ireland on 27 occasions between 1958 and 1965, captaining his country 11 times, and his home province of Leinster 28 times between 1958 and 1964.

He was a keen member of the Barbarians, whom he represented 22 times on their Easter Tour and other matches between 1956 and 1965 (including the 1957 tour to South Africa).

Dawson was captain of the British Lions on their 1959 tour to Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He established a Lions record of six tests as captain, h(which was later equalled by Martin Johnson).

Notably, he was captain during the final test in Eden Park which the Lions won 6–9, and remains the only victory home nations players have enjoyed in Eden Park (save for the victorious 1973 English team).

Dawson was educated in St. Andrew's College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street where he qualified as an architect, going on to work as an architect with Bank of Ireland.

Dawson was unavailable to tour South Africa with the Lions in 1962, but was appointed assistant manager/coach of the 1968 Lions captained by Tom Kiernan.

He became a Lions and Ireland selector and was appointed as the first coach of Ireland in 1969.

In later life, Dawson continued his long association and commitment to the game in Ireland.

He was elected to the IRFU executive committee in June 1970 and served the Leinster Branch as president in the