British and Irish Lions legend dies aged 92

British and Irish Lions legend Ronnie Dawson, captain in a record six Test matches and a World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, has died aged 92.

Dawson, who passed away on Friday after a lengthy illness, led the Lions in six Tests, a feat matched only by Martin Johnson. 

He infamously skippered the side to their only-ever victory against the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1959 and represented Ireland 27 times between 1958 and 1965.

After almost missing his selection to lead the touring party in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, having put down the letter before reading he would be captain, Dawson fronted the team that secured a 9-6 win at a ground viewed as a fortress.

Dawson became assistant manager and coach of the 1968 Lions tour and was appointed as Ireland's first recognised coach in 1969, a role he kept for three years.

He represented the Barbarians on 22 occasions between 1956 and 1965. 

After retiring, Dawson was elected to the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) executive committee in 1970 and became the IRFU president for the 1989-90 season.

Dawson also acted as the Irish representative on the International Rugby Board (IRB) for 20 years, between 1974 to 1994, and was a member of the Rugby World Cup organising committee for the first tournament held in 1987. 

His contribution to rugby was recognised by the IRB in 2004, when he was given the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service. 

In 2013, he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame.

'Ronnie Dawson was an iconic figure in Irish and international rugby whose impact transcended many eras,' said IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts.

'He made significant impressions as a player, coach, manager and administrator for Wanderers, Leinster, the Barbarians, the Lions, World Rugby and Ireland. 

'He was a quintessential leader and leaves a lasting legacy which will never be forgotten. We extend our sympathies to his daughters Sandra and Jackie, his son Nigel and a very wide circle of family and friends at this sad time.'

Reflecting on his Lions call-up in 1959, Dawson said in Behind the Lions:  'I got a letter from Mr Bradforth, honorary secretary of the Home Unions Tour Committee and it was just a brief letter. It started with your surname. "Dear Dawson..."

'It went on to say, "You are invited to join the tour… blah, blah, blah… of Australia, New Zealand and Canada," and when I got it I was absolutely delighted and didn't really finish the letter, I just put it down with a big "Yippee!" 

'The last few words when I went back to look at it again said, "and to be its captain".'