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Former Lions and Ireland captain Ronnie Dawson dies aged 92
By PA
Former British and Irish Lions captain Ronnie Dawson, who also skippered Ireland, has died at the age of 92.
Dublin-born Dawson played six Tests as Lions captain, a record later equalled by Martin Johnson, and guided the team to their only win over New Zealand at their Eden Park fortress, a 9-6 victory on the 1959 tour.
Former Leinster hooker Dawson also played 27 times for Ireland from 1958 to 1965 as well as representing the Barbarians.
Dawson went on to be part of the Lions coaching set-up in 1968 and also became Ireland’s first national-team coach in 1969, a role which he held for three years.
In his later career as an administrator, Dawson was a member of the Rugby World Cup organising committee for the first tournament in 1987 and was president of the Irish Rugby Football Union for the 1989–90 season.
The IRFU announced Dawson had died on Friday.
IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts said on the association’s website: “Ronnie Dawson was an iconic figure in Irish and international rugby whose impact transcended many eras.
“He was a quintessential leader and leaves a lasting legacy which will never be forgotten.”
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Latest Comments
That Munster have only beaten Leinster twice in the last, how much matches?, and yet one of their two wins came in last season's Semi Final. It's all very well being a top quality side but if you play fantastically up until the play-off games and then get knocked out by a team that you should have beaten, what does it tell you about their endurance.
They are fantastic but they currently have nothing to show for the first 6 tournaments they have played since the SA franchises have joined.
Not sure why, but I think they play too fast too early. Then by about 60 minutes they are gassed out and give up all the momentum and lead they amassed up until then.
Go to commentsWhy can't NZR agree to a tour itinerary and have the test roll into August instead so even the Finalists can comfortably make it across the world in comfort? Surely something like that could be arranged once every cycle when they come up against SA or NZ. But it's not just France that has to play ball, NZ or SA have to really want them, otherwise the options are endless.
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