“Ronnie Dawson was an iconic figure in Irish and international rugby, whose impact transcended many eras,” said Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) chief executive Kevin Potts.
“He made significant impressions as a player, coach, manager and administrator for Wanderers, Leinster, the Barbarians, the British & Irish Lions, World Rugby and Ireland.
“He was a quintessential leader and leaves a lasting legacy which will never be forgotten. We extend our sympathies to his daughters Sandra and Jackie, his son Nigel and a very wide circle of family and friends at this sad time.”
After his playing days, Dawson was elected to the IRFU executive committee in 1970 and became IRFU president for the 1989-90 season.
His other roles included being Irish representative on the International Rugby Board (IRB) from 1974 to 1994 and a member of the Rugby World Cup organising committee for the first tournament in 1987.
Dawson’s contribution to the sport was acknowledged by the IRB with the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service in 2004 before being inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2013.