Former Ireland international Willie Duggan passes away aged 67

Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions international Willie Duggan has passed away at the age of 67 after a suspected heart attack.

Duggan has featured in 41 Tests for Ireland between 1975 and 1984 and has even gone on to captain the side. He was also part of the Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 1977 and scored a solitary try in the four games he played.

Irish Rugby wrote on Twitter: "Sad news today that Ireland legend Willie Duggan has passed away. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends. May he rest in peace."

Leinster Rugby, his former province,‏ wrote on Twitter: "Very sad news from Kilkenny this morning of the passing of Leinster & Ireland Rugby legend Willie Duggan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. #RIP."

Duggan along with former Wales international Geoff Wheel were the first players to be sent-off during a Five Nations match in 1977.

Referee Norman Sanson sent off both Duggan and Wheel for fighting following a lineout during the game at Cardiff Arms Park.

Recalling the incident some time later, Wheel said: "I wasn't involved with Willie Duggan at all. I didn't even see what he was supposed to have done. We even had a bit of a laugh about it on the sideline.

"We definitely got the best of it. He was having a really good game at the back of the line-out. Willie was a great character and an exceptionally good player.

"I don't know what he got sent off for but they ended up losing their best player and we won the game easily enough."

Duggan lived and worked in Kilkenny where he ran Willie Duggan Lighting Ltd.