Ireland's former international centre and stalwart of the game Harry McKibbin has died aged 86.

Born in Belfast in July 1915, he made his international debut as a 22-year-old against Wales in 1938. He went on to tour with the Lions in South Africa later the same year despite haviung only the one cap.

Like so many of his era, his international career was hindered by the outbreak of World War II. He joined the Royal Artillery reaching the rank of major.

When he retunrned he played for the Instonians club and although his international career was relatively short he went on to make a huge inpact in the game as an administrator.

He served as an Ireland selector for four years from 1960 to 1963, was president of the Ulster Branch, and was made the centenary president of the IRFU in 1974-'75. He received the CBE for his services to rugby in 1975.

He was one of Ireland's representatives on the International Board from 1967 to 1987 and was assistant manager of the Lions team that toured South Africa in 1962. His contribution to the game was recognised when he was inducted into the Rugby Writers of Ireland Hall of Fame. McKibbin also served a term as president of the Queen's University Rugby Club.

His younger brother Des, who died in 1999, was also capped for Ireland and like Harry became president of the IRFU, the only instance of brothers filling that office.

Two of Harry's sons, Harry junior and Alistair, went on to emulate the achievement of their father by being capped for Ireland at senior level. A third son, Roger, was an interprovincial and Irish trialist before injury brought a premature end to his career.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Sheila, sons Harry, Roger and Alistair and daughter Deborah.