British & Irish Lions and England fly-half Richard Sharp OBE has passed away at the age of 87.

Sharp was born in Bangalore, now Bengaluru, India on 9th September 1938 but grew up in the Southwest upon his return to the UK.

Having been educated at Montpelier School and Blundell’s School in Devon, Sharp then studied at Balliol College Oxford during which time he won three rugby Blues between 1958 and 1961.

Sharp’s club career began at Redruth in Cornwall and he also represented the county side 28 times between 1957 to 1966.

Stints at Wasps and Bristol followed for Sharp as well as playing for the Barbarians and Royal Navy.

His England career spanned seven years and 14 caps, but he impressed enough to earn the captaincy of his country as well as play in two Lions Tests in 1962.

The Tour in question came in South Africa, with the fly-half scoring 45 points in 11 games in the land of the Springboks, opening and closing his campaign with a try.

Sharp replaced Gordon Waddell in the third Test, putting in a performance which was to earn him a place in the series finale.

His grand moment was to come in the 1963 Five Nations where he led England to the title.

That success was aided by a win over Wales in Cardiff, their first for almost 30 years, with Sharp contributing an outstanding 40-metre try.

Sharp made his mark in cricket representing Cornwall in the Minor Counties Championship between 1957 and 1970, and he was also notable for having the Bernard Cornwell character Richard Sharpe, immortalised by Sean Bean in the TV series, named after him.

Steve Murley CRFU Chair paid tribute to Sharp, saying: “Richard will be remembered not simply for the tries scored, the caps won, or the tours undertaken - but for the person he was: quietly assured, respectfully modest, unwavering in his support for Cornwall and his sporting communities.

“His passing will be mourned by his family, his many friends in Cornish and English sport, and all who valued not only his athletic talents but his character.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and to the communities - rugby, cricket, Cornwall - that he enriched so deeply.”

The British & Irish Lions send sincere condolences to all of Sharp’s family and friends.