ANDY RIPLEYEngland international Andy Ripley died on 17 June, 2010, aged 62.
He was a regular in the England side of the 1970s and also represented the British and Irish Lions.
He took part in the Lions’ famous unbeaten tour of South Africa in 1974, where they won 21 of the 22 games and drew the other.
Andrew George Ripley was born in Liverpool on 1 December, 1947.
He played all of his club rugby for London’s Rosslyn Park at number 8.
He made his England debut in 1972 at Twickenham and went on to win 24 caps.
As well as rugby, he was an all-round athlete and yachtsman – sporting prowess which helped him win the BBC’s Superstars series in 1980.
He was an accountant by profession.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005. Despite his increasing illness, he was able to write two books reflect on his battle with the disease and his career.
He received an OBE for services to sport in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Rugby Players' Association chief executive Damian Hopley paid tribute saying: "Andy was a colossus, both as an athlete and a human being.
"His achievements for England and his beloved Rosslyn Park marked him out as one of the most skilful, dynamic and inspirational rugby players of his generation.
"He will be remembered by many for his success on Superstars, the athleticism and competitive drive that we saw there and in his rowing success that followed underlined his extraordinary ability as a sportsman."
Andy Ripley was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and three children.
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