Ronnie Dawson (rugby player)

Alfred Ronald "Ronnie" Dawson (born 5 June 1932 in Dublin, Ireland) played hooker for Ireland and was captain of the British Lions rugby union team on their 1959 tour to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Ronnie was educated in St. Andrew's College in Dublin, Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street (where he qualified as an architect and he worked as such for the Bank of Ireland for most of his professional career. He was Chief Architect and Head of their Premises Division when he retired.

He joined Wanderers F.C. in August 1950 and played his club rugby on the 1st XV between 1950 and 1965, was Captain for the 1955-56 season and Coach/Selector from 1964 to 1968. He was a member of the administrative Executive Committee from 1962 until he retired in 1994. He was President of the club for the 1991-92 season.

Dawson played provincial rugby 28 times for Leinster between 1958-1964 (during which he captained the side), was President during the 1972-73 season and was an administrator on the Leinster Branch Executive Committee from May 1965 until he retired in 1986.

He won the first of his 27 Irish caps in 1958 (a match in which Ireland beat Australia), was Captain of the side on 11 occasions between 1958-62 (including Captaining the 1961 Irish tour to South Africa) and retired from International rugby in 1965.

Dawson was a keen member of the Barbarians, playing 22 times on their Easter Tour and other matches between 1956-1965 (including the 1957 tour to South Africa). He selected and played for the Barbarians against several incoming touring teams, including Australia (1958), South Africa (1961 - being Captain of the only team to beat the 1961 Springboks) and New Zealand (1964). He was also a member of the Barbarians Committee for a number of years.

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