It could be argued that Ronnie Dawson, who has died at the age of 92, was the Godfather of Irish professional rugby.
And, also, one of the founding fathers of the Rugby World Cup.
A man for all seasons and all tasks. Player. Coach. Administrator. And legendary throughout every one of them.
And, of course, his most important role; as wife to the late Wendy, father to Sandra, Jackie and Nigel and friend to so many.
It seemed appropriate that Ireland’s four professional provincial coaches should be plotting against each other on a stellar day for Irish rugby when we heard of his passing, last Friday.
Words issued during his lifetime by a compatriot, Willie John McBride, perhaps summed up his legacy better than any others could possibly achieve: “Ronnie Dawson was a no-nonsense, uncomplicated sort of man, who was neat, tidy and organised in his own life and demonstrated he could have a real influence in the game at large in this part of the world.
“He played a vital role, and never got enough credit for the part they played in helping to drag Irish rugby, kicking and screaming, into the twentieth century.”
Appointed Ireland coach in 1969, he had been granted his first real taste of it a year earlier for the British & Irish Lions, with whom he had served such a distinguished role as an outstanding captain.
Tom Kiernan captained the 1968 side and, although the decision to allow Dawson take the coaching reins did not prove immediately successful – indeed the series loss was remembered as much for indiscipline.
However, few quibbled with the conclusion that the professional preparations introduced on the ’68 tour would serve as a backbone for the most famous amateur series of them all, that historic trek to New Zealand in 1971.
Dawson, who never drank, ensured that training sessions were always consummately prepared, as McBride again would note some years later.
“Dawson led the way in showing what could be achieved, not only with the 1968 Lions, but also as a coach of Ireland.
Educated in St Andrew’s College, Dawson was educated in St. Andrew’s College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street where he qualified as an architect.
He worked as such for Bank of Ireland for most of his professional career and was Chief Architect and Head of their Premises Division when he retired.
Dawson won 27 caps for Ireland as a hooker from 1958-1964 and his leadership qualities were identified from an early stage; after scoring a try on debut against Australia, by his second season, he was captain.
In “Behind the Lions”, Tom English’s history of the Lions, Dawson related the story of being appointed captain.
“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’.”
Syd Millar and Bill Mulcahy, his fellow Irishmen, relate in the same book of how Dawson arranged press conferences, operated as a kit man as well as laying down the tools for his future stint as a renowned coach.
“Ronnie Dawson was absolutely outstanding in his leadership,” team-mate Ken Scotland said. “The training every day meant we were all fit, as a result I think I played the best rugby of my life.”
Having claimed series wins in Canada and Australia en route to the Land of the Long White Cloud – they were hopeful of carrying off a series win.
And while they failed on that count – they certainly succeeded in winning over the hearts and minds of the locals with their free-flowing attacking rugby.
Dawson, the fourth Irish captain of the Lions in a row, was at the heart of that decision over what style of rugby to play along with Alf Wilson.
Playing in six Tests as captain, Dawson established a Lions record (which was later equalled by Martin Johnson ) but they ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 series defeat.
However, their final Test win in Auckland remains the only time the Lions have won in the All Blacks’ fortress of Eden Park in their history.
Dawson then forged a career as a distinguished administrator, commencing 24 years of service on the IRFU executive committee from 1970, acting as President for the 1989-90 season.
He served the Leinster Branch as President in the 1972-73 season. He was elected President of the IRFU for the 1989–90 season (prior to his retirement from the IRFU Committee in 1994) and in recent years was a Trustee of the IRFU.
Dawson was an Irish representative on the (as it was then) Five Nations Committee and Committee of Home Unions from 1973 to 1994 – during this period he was elected to many roles, such as Chairman of Tours Committee, Chairman of Committee of Home Unions and Five Nations Committee.
He was also an Irish representative on the International Rugby Board from 1974 to 1994 (being Chairman in 1983), was a member of the Rugby World Cup Organising Committee (for the first RWC tournament) in 1987 and the International Rugby Settlement (RWC Ltd.) between 1990–94.
“Ronnie Dawson was an iconic figure in Irish and international rugby whose impact transcended many eras,” said IRFU President Kevin Potts.
“He made significant impressions as a player, coach, manager and administrator for Wanderers, Leinster, the Barbarians, the British & Irish 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.”
A longstanding member of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Council as an Ireland representative (1974-1994), the predecessor of World Rugby, Dawson served as IRB Chairman in 1983.
His legacy to the global game is one of the biggest and best loved major global sports events, the Rugby World Cup.
As a member of the organising committee for the first ever tournament held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987, he was one of the architects of a sporting success story.
Dawson’s lifetime contribution to the game was recognised by the IRB firstly in 2004, when he was awarded the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service, and again in 2013, when he was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Ronnie Dawson had a huge impact on rugby at every level of the game. Whether it was at his club, Wanderers, the IRFU and the British and Irish Lions as captain and coach, or off the field in running the sport, Ronnie leaves an enduring legacy.
“It is thanks to him, and that first ever 1987 organising committee, that today we have the incredible celebration of international rugby that is the Rugby World Cup.
“The thoughts of everybody at World Rugby go out to Ronnie’s family and friends at this sad time.”