Alan Moneypenny, Jack Kyle and Rory Best. 2011 Linwoods and Sport Northern Ireland Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast.

Ireland legends Jack Kyle (left) and Jimmy Nelson read the match programme from the famous 6-3 victory over Wales in 1948 at Ravenhill which clinched the Grand Slam

Ulster rugby stalwart Bryn Cunningham took the Special Award, handed over by legend Jack Kyle.

Silent tribute: Ulster players line up to remember Jack Kyle before last night’s match at Thomond Park

The Ulster team observe a minutes silence in memory of Jack Kyle and David McCormick. Guinness PRO12, Thomond Park, Co. Limerick. INPHO/James Crombie.

Special guest: Jack Kyle, seen here with Mike Gibson, was a great supporter of the Belfast Telegraph Sports awards

Watch him go: the late, great Jack Kyle sets off on one of his trademark mazy runs

Legendary half fly Jack Kyle, at his Co Down, Northern Ireland home

Local hero: Jack Kyle gets a standing ovation during a visit to Ravenhill last February. He was always a popular visitor to the stadium he once graced as a player

Rugby legends Jack Kyle and Willie John McBride holding up their Ulster Rugby Jerseys ahead of the Ulster match against the Dragons at Ravenhill.

Legendary half fly Jack Kyle, 83, at his Co Down, Northern Ireland home. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 19, 2009. Among the thousands of rugby fans descending on Cardiff this weekend is one who has waited longer than most for Ireland to clinch a second grand slam. Jack Kyle, who led the men in green to their only clean sweep in 1948, will be in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday hoping the current generation can finally emulate that achievement. See PA story SPORT Rugby Ireland. Photo credit should read: Paul Faith/PA Wire

Guinness PRO12, Thomond Park, Co. Limerick 28/11/2014 Munster vs Ulster Ulster players show their respects to Jack Kyle who passed away today Mandatory Credit ?INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Pacemaker Press International Belfast 13/8/2008. The surviving members of the 1948 grand slam winning Ireland side after a question and answer session at the Europa hotel this afternoon. Included are, Jim McCarthy, Jack Kyle, Jimmy Nelson, Karl Mullen, Paddy Reid, Bertie OHanlon and Michael OFlanagan . Picture Charles McQuillan/Pacemaker.

A fun moment in January 2006 at Parliament Buildings, when Rugby Legends Jack Kyle and Willie John McBride ,joined Allen Gibson, then the Chairman of the UK and Ulster Rugby Charity "Wooden Spoon". The occasion was Jack's 80th Birthday lunch in the members dining room, Stormont with Irish rugby VIP's. Picture Stanley Matchett.

RBS Six Nations 21/3/2009 Ireland Brian O'Driscoll celebrates with Jack Kyle after the game Mandatory Credit ?INPHO/Morgan Treacy *** Local Caption ***

Ireland and Ulster rugby legend Jack Kyle has died at the age of 88.

The Belfast man - regarded as one of Ireland's best ever rugby players - was a talented fly-half who won 46 caps for Ireland and six for the British and Irish Lions.

The former Ulster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions fly-half passed away on Thursday night.

"Jack died peacefully in his sleep at home last night, surrounded by close family members," his family said in a statement.

In 2002 Kyle was voted Ireland's greatest-ever player, underlining his standing alongside the likes of Brian O'Driscoll and Willie John McBride as Ireland's most-celebrated rugby stars.

Kyle spent more than 30 years working as a consultant surgeon in Chingola, Zambia, at the end of his playing career.

Following his retirement Kyle returned to Northern Ireland, living in Bryansford near Newcastle, County Down.

Awarded the OBE in 1959, Kyle forged a formidable reputation as a playmaker of both substance and style.

In a poll organised by the Irish Rugby Football Union in 2002, Kyle was voted the country's best player of all time.

Born in Belfast in 1926, Kyle read medicine at Queen's University, making his Ireland debut against the British Army in a friendly during the Second World War.

Kyle played in all four matches of Ireland's 1948 Grand Slam triumph, the achievement heightened by the country's 61-year wait for a repeat.

When O'Driscoll led Ireland to their 2009 Grand Slam in Cardiff, Kyle was on hand to witness the success.

While also helping Ireland to Five Nations titles in 1949 and 1951, Kyle won his six Test caps for the Lions on the 1950 tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Kyle first played for Ireland during the Second World War in a friendly match against a British Army team.

He made 46 full appearances for Ireland between 1947 and 1958, scoring 24 points, including seven tries.

Tributes flow in for Irish rugby legend

Tribute has begun to flow in for Jack Kyle, the Belfast born Irish rugby legend, who has died aged 88.

Tweeting today, Ulster Rugby said: RIP Jack Kyle. One of the greatest players to have ever represented Ulster, Ireland and the British Irish Lions.

Belfast Telegraph