RobinRoe

The Reverend Robin Roe is remembered just as fondly as an army chaplain as he is for his contribution on the pitch as a rugby player.

The Ireland hooker never played a Test for The British & Irish Lions, but turned out 11 times on the 1955 Tour of South Africa for the midweek side, and scored on his first ever performance against Griqualand West.

The unstoppable Trinity College player turned out for the Lions with two cracked ribs when required after injuring himself early in the Tour, and also played as an emergency prop forward on two occasions.

From 1952 to 1957 he played 21 times in the Ireland No 2 jersey, but also represented the Barbarians before that and was part of their tour to Canada in 1957.

But away from the rugby field, Roe’s devotion to the priesthood led him to an army chaplaincy, and he was even awarded the Military Cross after helping with the rescue of British soldiers during the Aden Emergency in 1967.

“His complete disregard for his own safety in the face of danger, and his infectious enthusiasm and confidence under all conditions, has had the most profound effect in the maintenance of morale in the whole Battalion,” his citation noted.