David Hewitt: key obituary facts
Is David Hewitt dead? Yes. David Hewitt died on November 5, 2026, at age 87.
Cause of death: David Hewitt's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was David Hewitt known for?
He was an Irish rugby union player.
More about David Hewitt
Born: 9 September 1939.
Place of birth: Belfast.
Gender: male.
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Education: Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
David Hewitt, the Irish rugby union centre who represented Ireland and the British & Irish Lions, died on November 5, 2026, aged 87.
Born in Belfast on September 9, 1939, he was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Hewitt earned 18 caps for Ireland between 1958 and 1965, playing at centre.
He also won six Lions caps, with appearances in 1959 and 1962. His playing career extended across university, club and provincial rugby: he represented Queen’s University, Instonians, North of Ireland F.C. and Ulster. Together with his international service, those teams form the recorded outline of a career spanning several settings within Irish rugby. His Ireland appearances covered the period from 1958 to 1965, while his Lions caps came in two separate years, 1959 and 1962. Hewitt’s record included national representation for Ireland as well as selection for the Lions, alongside his representation of university, club and provincial sides. The dates and teams associated with his career trace his progress through those levels, from his education in Belfast to rugby for sides including Queen’s University and Ulster.