Noel Joseph Henderson was born in Drumahoe, Co Derry, on 10 August 1928 and educated at Foyle College and Queen's University, Belfast, where he was a science student. He later worked in the petroleum industry. He played at centre for Queen's University. His 40 caps for Ireland between 1949 and 1959 included 35 at centre and the final five at full-back; he also scored 54 points and captained his country eleven times. In 1950 he toured New Zealand, Australia and Ceylon with the British Isles and scored nine tries in 15 appearances; he played on the wing in the third test against New Zealand. In 1956 he captained the Barbarians against Swansea. He was president of the IRFU in 1990/91. Noel Henderson died on 27 August 1997, aged 69.