Born in Limerick, Dr Bill and winger Niall Brophy were the first players from University College Dublin Rugby Club to represent the Lions.

Dr Bill played for Leinster from 1955, earning a first Ireland cap in 1958 against Australia, and went onto represent his country 35 times over the course of a seven-year international career. He also captained the side in the 1962 Five Nations.

He was selected for the 1959 Lions Tour to Australia and New Zealand, making 15 appearances on the Tour, including in two Test matches, one against the Wallabies and the other against the All Blacks, with the Lions winning both games.

Three years later, he was picked by the Lions once again for the 1962 Tour of South Africa, where he made 17 appearances in the 24-match Tour.

On that Tour, he played in all four Tests against the Springboks, with the Lions drawing the first before going onto lose the remaining three.

As well as UCD and Leinster, Dr Bill played for UL Bohemian, Bective Rangers, St Vincent’s Hospital and Skerries RFC.

After retiring from playing, he had a distinguished administrative career, going onto become president of the Leinster branch in 1995/6.

The British & Irish Lions send sincere condolences to Dr Bill’s wife, Christine, and all of his family and friends.