Billy McCombe

William McMachan McCombe (6 February 1949 – 12 March 2025) was an Irish international rugby union player.^[1]

Billy McCombe

Full name	William McMachan McCombe
Date of birth	(1949-02-06)6 February 1949
Date of death	12 March 2025(2025-03-12) (aged 76)
University	Trinity College Dublin
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1968–75 Ireland 5 (32)

Biography

McCombe played his club rugby for Bangor and Dublin University.^[2]

A fly-half known for his goal-kicking abilities, McCombe was aged 18 when called upon in 1968 to replace an injured Mike Gibson for a Five Nations match against France at Colombes, making him the youngest ever Ireland player in that position.^[2] He kicked all of Ireland's points in a 6–16 loss, then didn't get another opportunity until 1975, when he displaced Mick Quinn in the Five Nations squad.^[3] Finishing as the tournament's top points-scorer (26), McCombe registered the winning try in their opening match against England and contributed 13 points in a win over France.^[4]

McCombe died on 12 March 2025, at the age of 76.^[1]

See also

• List of Ireland national rugby union players