Before transitioning to rugby league with Leigh in 1961 and later relocating to Leeds, Bev Risman played rugby union for England and travelled with the British & Irish Lions. A moment of silence will be observed before Friday’s Super League match between the Rhinos and Huddersfield, according to Leeds.
Risman, who was raised in Cumbria despite being born in Salford, later moved back up north to take the position of chairman at Carlisle.
He received an OBE for his services to rugby league in 2012 after being inducted into the sport’s hall of fame in 2005 and serving as RFL president from 2010 to 2012. Risman made 162 games for Leeds, scoring 20 tries and kicking 611 goals in the process. He scored four goals in Leeds’ illustrious victory in the ‘Watersplash’ Challenge Cup in 1968.
Who is Bev Risman? Former rugby dual-code international dies at 85
Former dual-code international Bev Risman then transitioned into coaching. Between 1959 and 1961, he represented England eight times as a fly-half while also traveling with the Lions. In March 1961, he signed to play rugby league for Leigh, ending his union career at the age of 23 after suffering a stroke.