Rugby: Lions lock Brown dies

Former Scotland and British Lions lock Gordon Brown has died from cancer at the age of 53.

Brown passed away peacefully in Ayr Hospice on Monday morning.

He toured three times with the Lions during the 1970s and won 30 caps for his country between 1969 and 1976.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan, a British Lion with Brown in both South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand in 1977, said: "Gordon was one of life's exceptional characters.

"He was a huge figure in our Test triumphs in South Africa in 1974. In all, he scored eight tries on that tour, including two in successive Tests, to set a record for a visiting forward on a tour.

"Gordon loved his rugby and he loved having fun. His fellow players, both in Scotland and Lions teams, always regarded him as special.

"I send my sincere sympathies to his family."