Irish rugby legend, Jackie Kyle, has died at the age of 88.
In his prime he was considered the best out-half of his era and he retired from rugby as the most-capped player in history up to that point with 52 caps (46 for Ireland and 6 for the British and Irish Lions).
Kyle was born in Belfast (10th January 1926) and played for Ulster schools at fullback. While at Queen’s University studying medicine, he switched to out-half and played for the college team and later Ulster.
This was in 1944 while the world was still at war. Rugby Tests had been postponed during the war but Kyle did represent an Ireland XV against a British Army XV during the war, though no caps were given.
Kyle played his first full Test for Ireland against France, in 1947, at the age of 22. A year later he had firmly established himself in the Irish setup and became a pivotal member of the team that won Ireland’s first-ever Grand Slam – and their last until Brian O’Driscoll’s men in 2009, 61 years later.
He played a huge contribution to Ireland been the most successful team of that era, winning two more Triple Crowns (in 1949 and 1951). In 1950 he was picked to represent the British and Irish Lions in Australia and New Zealand and played in 19 of the 29 matches, including all 6 Tests, 2 against Australia and 4 against New Zealand.
This was the first Lions tour since the end of World War 2 and the last tour to travel by ship. For many of the players that didn’t fight during the war, this was the furthest they had travelled.
Kyle himself talks about his first Test against France in Paris, as the furthest he had travelled up to that point. Sailing half-way around the world would be quite an experience for the young man.
In New Zealand, he wowed the crowds with his exciting play and would later be voted as one of the top five players in the world in that year, a high accolade for a non-New Zealand player. Fellow Ulster-man Mike Gibson would share that accolade, playing for the Lions in 1971.
The 1950 Lions won both their Tests in Australia but failed to win a single Test in New Zealand. They had suffered heavy defeats in the inter-provincials leading up to the first Test so they weren’t given much of a chance.
The Lions ended up shocking the New Zealand crowd by drawing the first Test, 9-all, Kyle scoring one of the tries.
The Lions would go on to lose the next 3 Tests, though, but keeping the score low in each match. The Lions would win 22 of the 29 games played on that tour. Kyle, playing at out-half, would be partnered with some true greats in the back-line.
The Welsh legends, Bleddyn Williams, Jack Mathews and Ken Jones would be lined up outside him. For many, this would constitute the best back-line ever fielded by the Lions up to that point.
Back in Europe, Kyle would grow in stature and be considered the best player of his era. He always maintained a friendly nature, though, and was considered a true gentlemen by all who met him. The late Cliff Morgan, another legend of the game, talks about his nerves playing his first Test for Wales against his hero Jack Kyle.
Kyle went up to him before the game started, put his arm around the young Welsh talent and said ‘Cliffy, I hope you have a great game today!’. Morgan would go on to wow spectators playing for the Lions against South Africa in 1955.
When Jack Kyle retired from rugby, in 1958, he had amassed 46 caps for Ireland, including six as captain, and scored 24 points, including seven tries.
His 46 caps are impressive considering this was an age when very few international matches took place during the year. For players in Europe, the four games in the Five Nations would be their lot. Tours by overseas teams were rare in those days.
After retiring from rugby, Kyle devoted his life to his medicine. Instead of staying in Ireland to practice, he embarked on missionary work. For 40 years he would help the ill in Sumatra, Indonesia and Zambia.
He returned to Ulster in 2001, where he lived in County Down. It was there where he passed away, on November 27th, 2014, after a long illness.
In 2002, Jack Kyle was voted Ireland’s best-ever rugby player, beating such luminaries as Willie John-McBride, Mike Gibson, Fergus Slattery, Keith Wood and Brian O’Driscoll. A player of rare ability and a great man, he will be missed.
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