- Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson (b.1931-d.2003) was an rugby union international for
Ireland and a formerBritish and Irish Lions captain.Robin Thompson won two Ulster Schools Senior Cup medals with RBAI (
Royal Belfast Academical Institution ) and played for Ulster Schools. He made theQueen's University RFC senior side in his first year in the University and while still only 18, he made his Ulster debut.He won his first international cap in the second row as a 20 year old against
France inParis in December 1951. He was also on the team that defeated France in Paris in January 1952. He played throughout the championship and againstNew Zealand in 1953-54 and the following season captained Ireland against both France and Wales. He was capped 11 times. He won theUlster Senior League with Queen's University, theUlster Senior Cup withInstonians and also played forLondon Irish and the Barbarians.He was made captain of the
1955 British Lions tour to South Africa . He played in three of the four tests on that tour.Following the tour he turned professional and played
rugby league for Warrington. But an injury and subsequent medical advice brought an end to his playing career while still only 25. After returning to Ireland, he subsequently became a media analyst.External links
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3150933.stm BBC Obituary]
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