Bermuda, died yesterday at the age of 53 after a 15 month battle against cancer.

Brown played 30 times for Scotland and eight times for the Lions and was a regular visitor to Bermuda, beginning in 1977 when he captained the Bermuda-Irish in the Easter Classic.

He made a number of visits to the World Rugby Classic and used his talents as an after-dinner speaker to entertain guests in the committee tent.

"I was delighted to have one last opportunity to meet with Gordon just three weeks' ago at the benefit dinner for him in London attended by over 1,400 rugby people from all round the world,'' said John Kane, President of the Island's World Rugby Classic.

"The Classic donated a trip to this year's event for two and at the auction it went for nearly $20,000. In all the dinner raised $350,000.'' Kane said Brown's death had left "a huge void'' in the world of rugby.

Known as "the Broon from Troon'', he was one of the great characters of the game.

In his book he recounted how he was on the flight to Bermuda when the captain informed him that he had been selected for the Lions and how, upon his arrival, the Irish made him captain to celebrate the achievement.

RUGBY RUG