Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions back row Fergus Slattery has died at the age of 77, his club Blackrock College have announced.
Considered one of Ireland’s greatest players, Slattery won 61 caps between 1970 and 1984 and also captained the side.
Slattery helped Ireland win the Triple Crown in 1982 and 1985 and represented the Lions in the 1971 and 1974 tours to New Zealand and South Africa.
“Blackrock College RFC bows its head in gratitude, pride and sorrow as we remember one of our greatest sons,” read Blackrock’s statement.
“There are players who wear a jersey and there are players who define it. Fergus defined ours.
“To those who watched him play, he represented rugby at its purest.
“An open-side flanker of extraordinary intelligence, courage and relentless competitiveness, he always seemed to arrive first where the contest was fiercest.”
Blackrock added that Slattery played “with ferocity and grace, but without ego or theatre”.
“Modest in demeanour, yet monumental in achievement, Fergus never sought admiration, but earned it universally from team-mates, opponents, supporters and generations of young rugby players, who dreamed of following in his footsteps.”
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) president John O’Driscoll described Slattery as a “giant of Irish rugby who defined excellence in his era”.
“His leadership, skill and unwavering commitment to the jersey set standards that continue to inspire generations of players,” added O’Driscoll.
“Off the field, he carried himself with humility and integrity, embodying the very best values of our game.”
Slattery, who was born in Dun Laoghaire just south of Dublin city centre, made his Ireland debut against South Africa in 1970.
In an international career spanning 14 years, he captained Ireland 18 times and led them on the successful tour to Australia in 1979 when they won seven out of eight matches including both Tests against the Wallabies.
In the iconic red Lions jersey, he lost just one match in 25 appearances, and while injury denied him the chance to face the All Blacks in 1971, he was an integral member of the famous ‘Invincibles’ squad that went unbeaten in 22 games in South Africa three years later.
Slattery, who was inducted into the World Rugby hall of fame in 2007, also played 18 times for the Barbarians, including the iconic 1973 win over the All Blacks.
“A family man, a valued friend, and one of the 1974 Invincibles, Fergus was an inspiration both on and off the pitch,” said the Lions in a statement.
Slattery continued to represent Blackrock after his international career ended and also worked for BBC Radio as a co-commentator alongside Jim Neilly for almost 15 years.
“Given how he played, it was no surprise that Fergus’ contributions were always insightful and bang on the money,” said Neilly, who commentated on Slattery’s first game as Ireland captain against France in January 1979.
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