FORMER Warrington Rugby League forward Robin Thompson died in Belfast on Thursday at the age of 72.

Thompson, who made 50 appearances and scored 10 tries for Wire in the late 1950s, was the captain of the British Lions Rugby Union team which drew the Test series 2-2 on the 1955 tour of South Africa.

He signed for Warrington the following year after a Union career in which he also won 11 caps for Ireland.

In his youth, Thompson was a gifted athlete who gained a reputation as a shot-putter of some note before deciding to concentrate on rugby.