The death of Phil Crowe, aged 89, has severed yet another link with the Ireland team that won the International Championship in 1935.

Phil was a member of a distinguished rugby family. When he was capped in 1935 he emulated the achievement of his older brother Morgan who won the first of his 13 caps against Wales in 1929. Phil's nephew James was capped for Ireland against New Zealand in 1974.

Educated at Blackrock College, he made his international debut at centre against England in 1935 and, although Ireland lost that match, they went on to win the Championship with victories over Wales and Scotland, the first championship win by Ireland since 1899. Phil won his second cap at full back also against England in 1938.

A man of gentle and modest disposition, he is survived by his wife Maura, a sister of the great Old Belvedere quartet of Paddy, Gerry, Frank and Kevin Quinn, his daughters Catherine and Mary and his sons Tom, David, Fr Philip, and Michael.