| Born | Cameron Michael Henderson Gibson (1942-12-03)3 December 1942 (age 82) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| School | Campbell College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Cambridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cameron Michael Henderson GibsonMBE (born 3 December 1942) is an Irish formerrugby union international player who representedIreland and theBritish & Irish Lions.
On Gibson's induction into theIRB Hall of Fame in May 2011, former teammate and fellow Hall of Fame inducteeSyd Millar said of him: "... [he] was one of the finest players of his generation, one of the finest players ever to represent Ireland and the British & Irish Lions and a man who epitomised the very ethos of the Game and its values".[1] Fellow IRFU inducteeWillie John McBride considers Gibson the greatest Irish player he ever watched.[2]
Gibson came from a sporting family, and followed football initially.[3]He was educated atCampbell College in Belfast, then read law atQueens' College, Cambridge. His brother had also read law at Cambridge.[3]
Gibson played the bulk of his career forNorth of Ireland F.C. ("North"). While studying, Gibson played forCambridge University. In February 1966 he played forLondon Irish againstSt Mary's Hospital. He continued playing club rugby until 42.
Gibson's career began withIreland in 1964 and he earned his 69th and finalcap in the second and final test win againstAustralia in Sydney in1979 at age 36. A versatile player, he represented his country in four different positions. Prior to moving to centre, Gibson played fly half to a high level. He was known for the perception and timing of his attacking play, the focus and anticipation of his defence and the dedication and commitment with which he applied himself across a 15-year international career in which he appeared in a then-world record 81 Tests, including five tours with the British & Irish Lions.[1]
Gibson scored 112 Test points (9 tries, 16 penalties, 7 conversions and 6 drop goals) for Ireland. Gibson's record Ireland caps haul of 69 was overtaken by lockMalcolm O'Kelly againstScotland in February 2005. The mark had lasted for 26 years. His record of 56 appearances in theFive Nations (now Six Nations) was not equalled until countrymanRonan O'Gara reached the mark in Ireland's final match of the2011 Six Nations.
On the1968 tour to South Africa, Gibson made history in the opening Test by becoming the first replacement in international rugby. He played in 11 of the final 13 matches after Welsh fly-halfBarry John had been invalided out of the tour.[4]
In the1971 tour to New Zealand, Gibson formed a midfield combination alongside captainJohn Dawes. The 1971 tour is the Lions' sole series victory over theAll Blacks.[4] In 2018 Gibson won 'substantial' damages over false allegations made byJohn Spencer that he manipulated British and Irish Lions team selection to ensure his place in the Test team.[5][6]
Gibson's work commitments saw him join the1974 Lions in South Africa as a replacement during the second half of the tour. Gibson played understudy to the new Test pairing ofIan McGeechan andRichard Milliken.[4]
Gibson was selected for his fifth Lions tour in1977, equalling fellow IrishmanWillie John McBride's record. However, back and hamstring problems meant that Gibson was unable to compete for a test place.[4]
Gibson played for a combined Scotland/Ireland XV in the 1970 Centenary of RFU celebration match against a combined England/Wales XV[7] and again in the 1972 Scottish Rugby Union Centenary match.[8]
Gibson was awarded an MBE for services to the game.[citation needed]
When theInternational Rugby Hall of Fame was instituted in 1997, Gibson was one of the initial fifteen inductees. Upon his induction into theIRB Hall of Fame in 2011, Gibson paid tribute to his teammates, calling rugby the greatest team sport.[1]
In January 2012 Gibson was inducted into theBelfast Telegraph Hall of Fame.[9]
In an interview in 2011, Irish rugby greatBrian O'Driscoll praised Gibson's contribution to Irish rugby:
At times when Irish rugby wasn't successful Mike was always the shining light. He played international rugby for 15 years and that speaks volumes about him. He was a magnificent player and a true ambassador for the game.[9]
Gibson continued to play an active role in the rugby community after he retired from playing.[1]
Gibson has acted as a marshal for theOpen Golf Championship in 2025.[10]
Gibson practised as asolicitor in Belfast.[1] Fellow Irish internationalDavid Humphreys trained as a solicitor in Gibson's firm.
Gibson married Moyra in 1970. They had met when he was 18 and she was 16. Their son played rugby with Gloucester, and their daughter played hockey for Ireland. Gibson also played golf. They lived in Belfast.[3]
Gibson has credited people with having important influences on his life, including his family andRonnie Dawson.[3]
He has said that he is not sure if he would have played professional rugby.[3]
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