Bill Mclaren would never be so uncouth. Butler later became a published author. Bill McLaren gathered thousands of items relating to the game during his years as a commentator, Bill McLaren was considered by many to be the "voice of rugby" during his long commentating career. He was educated at Monmouth School and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied French and Spanish between 1976 and 1978.Butler played as a number eight and gained Cambridge Blues in 1976, 1977 and 1978, Butler played in 16 matches for the Welsh national side between 1980 and 1984 and captained the side in six of those matches. Renwick sent the ball sailing wide. Scott played at centre and was bigger than most players at that level. Read about our approach to external linking. *His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning (description of Welsh wing Gerald Davies). That teammate was Scott Quinnell. I almost didnt include this one because I dont know which player its about. This weekend, like any other when the Six Nations Championship is being held, he will watch the matches from television at his home. His unique descriptions and authoritive voice added so much excitement, intrigue and enthral. Tell a coach or teacher. I just love this quote. McLaren was born in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, in 1923 to a knitwear salesman from Loch Lomond-side who had moved down to the area. *Tweet, tweet, tweet commentary on Scottish full-back Peter Dods strange run up to a penalty kick. By 1980 Butler had won his first cap in the defeat of France in Cardiff. Barry John, yes, maybe. 2023 BBC. Winger Simon Geoghegan who was capped 37 times for Ireland between 1991 and 1996. Of course, it was never said quite like he would have said it himself, in his honeyed, Borders burr, tinged with the impishness that suggested that none of this was tobe taken too seriously. The proud scot also liked to use Scottish phrasing which sometimes needs interpretation for the rest of us. Comments. Running (can anyone tell us who Bill was referring to here? Bennets got his first cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. Our previous quotes have generally referred to a single individual. Here is McLaren on two sturdy brothers who were giants of Welsh rugby in more ways than one. *Im no hod carrier but Id be laying bricks if he was running at me (description of Jonah Lomu). Here is McLaren watching a lock forward making a break up the field. Beaumont also captained England 21 times. He would then resume his consultation of his match chart, a mass of tiny notes in many colours, before, at kick-off, turning his back on us. With reference to Moss Keane prime Irish beef? Rugby lost its true voice on Tuesday when much-loved and respected Scottish commentator Bill McLaren passed away at the age of 86. His spirit lives on here in this blog and in The Bill McLaren Foundation. When his body never his voice began to show signs of age and the second finger of his right hand curled down permanently into his palm, he was told that a simple operation might restore it to the vertical. Nicknamed the Viet Gwent, they notoriously took no prisoners with their hard-nosed pack of forwards, spearheaded by the Wales front row of Charlie Faulkner, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price. And I dont think you ever will replace a fellow like that because he was just unique in the way he spoke and commentated on games.. Nice one Richard I heard a commentator, this weekend (15/2/15), actually try to use Bills exquisite expression. McLaren is describing the kicker action. (McLaren offering a friend a mint). Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. See more. Sidestep in a phonebox was referring to Robert Jones (Welsh scrum half). He decided to leave well alone, since it seemed to improve his grip on his clubs. See less. The place-kicking routines of some modern fly halves may seem to be increasingly odd and elaborate. BILL McLaren will be remembered simply as the voice of rugby. These included Murray Walker (motor racing/Formula One), Peter O'Sullevan (horse racing), Harry Carpenter (boxing and rowing), Dan Maskell (tennis), David Coleman (athletics), Peter Alliss (golf) and John Arlott (cricket). McLarens final commentary in Cardiff eight years ago the 2002 Six Nations clash between Wales and Scotland saw the Millennium Stadium crowd sing For Hes a Jolly Good Fellow in his honour. Most Scotsmen would have been dejected, but he didnt show it.. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Thanks v much Jasen, keep them coming. He was just a lovely, lovely man and I was privileged to have worked with him and more importantly to have met him.. It was nothing personal. Despite his size, Doddie could be a dynamic player. The suggestion was that Waless leader was not passionate enough. *I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip. *Hes like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe. No, coo isnt a typo. This refers to Wade Dooley who was a policeman who walked the beat in the seaside town of Blackpool. Here is McLarens summary: Im sure youre familiar with Bambi, the baby deer with gangly legs. *Theyll be simply chuffed to bits down at. Dinner plates cant clasp a ball. Some of his finest broadcasting work came in the form of montages and voiceovers during the London Olympics of 2012. McLaren was named among the inaugural members of the Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame in 2010 and inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame during Rugby World Cup 2015.[16][17][18]. The legendary commentator, who retired in 2002 after almost 50 years as a broadcaster, died in hospital yesterday morning, aged 86. Windsor said: The biggest fear with him was when he finishes how do we replace him? Geoghegan was one of my favorite players in the early nineties, and I think McLaren describes him fairly well! Over the. We searched and searched for images of the player and came up with a few grainy, jerky frames that stood in stark contrast to Bill's sharp recollections. This week we continue with Big Boys. During his final commentary, Wales v Scotland in 2002, the crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and one Welsh supporter displayed a banner claiming "Bill McLaren is Welsh". It is not. After that tour, he switched to playing league but then returned to union. They are different. But McLaren was never a coarse man! They had two daughters, Linda and Janie. Ruck.co.uk: the leading rugby union news and content network delivering you the latest news, views and all the moves in Rugby Union. The 60-year-old retired surgeon, who lives near Cowbridge, said: He was never biased towards Scotland, which was typified by the conversion of John Taylor at Murrayfield in 1971 [to seal a 19-18 victory for Wales]. 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(modern), Bill McLaren in 2002, the year of his retirement Photograph: Huw John / Rex Features. Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, 37, said McLaren was famous for dispensing Hawick balls Scottish butter mint sweets to everyone he met. [2] Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and memorable turn of phrase endeared him to many.[3]. This refers to Jim Renwick, a Scottish center who was capped 52 times for Scotland (from 1972 to 84). In this title, Bill McLaren talks poignantly about his entire life, focusing on his 50 years as chief rugby commentator for the BBC. *The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. A hod carrier is someone who works on a building site and carries a pile of bricks on something that looks like a shovel. The son of a knitwear salesman, during the second world war Bill found himself in Italy, a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. 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Craig Quinnell was a giant (and I mean giant) lock. (c) Find someone who loves rugbyand send this link as a surprise gift (birthday, Christmas or any time just because you love them). Im a little unsure on how to unpack this quote. Invite us to tell stories in your school or club. This quote aptly describes most days when I watch the All Blacks take on my national team. Gerald Davies was capped for Wales as a centre in 1966. And given the stamp he put on so many of Wales most glorious post-war rugby moments, McLaren may well be missed almost as much in Wales as he will be in Scotland, not to mention the world over. Bill McLaren followed the likes of Peter OSullevan, John Arlott, Harry Carpenter and Murray Walker into retirement and a generation of BBC commentators had finally fallen silent. The late Graeme Moody was a widely respected radio rugby commentator for 35 years. Let's see if you can match the quote to the player or coach! In his early union career, he toured with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand aged only 22. Bill McLaren died on 19 January 2010 at the age of 86 in his home town of Hawick. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? He knew it meant that the opposition feared him. Ive already described Doddie Weir in the previous quote. There he struck up a partnership with another former Wales international, Jonathan Davies, and an odd-couple relationship with the one-time English hooker Brian Moore. Butler took over from McLaren as the BBCs senior commentator in 2002. It was said that Bill McLaren, whohas died aged 86, was the voice ofrugby. It hurt him just before his retirement in 2002 that he was once denied access to an Australian training session. The image would haunt him for the rest of his days. I think hes muttering a few naughty Hawick words. *Hes like a raging bull with a bad head. 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Join us to celebrate what would have been Bill's 100th year with this fantastic line up: Welsh rugby legend and Bill's former commentary box colleague JONATHAN DAVIES and pitch p . He moved out to the wing a few years later, where he played for his country through much of the 1970s. "We have around 10,000 items of fan mail and we could only find one that had a complaint.". See also my TEDx Talk: How Sportsmanship Can Change The World. With one of his daughters, Nell, he was raising money for prostate cancer on the hike to Machu Picchu. McLaren studied in Aberdeen and taught PE until 1987, coaching three players who went on to star for Scotland: Jim Renwick, Colin Deans and Tony Stanger. Something went wrong, please try again later. His voice was unmistakable to generations of rugby fans, who grew up listening to a man whose knowledge and enthusiasm were equalled only by his impartiality. So I think the wall is the correct interpretation. He became more famous once his playing days were over for his work as a broadcaster, journalist and novelist. Become an ambassador (looks good on your CV). But taking centre stage will be the recreation of Bill's study. His running action could look a little ungainly. You can probably tell that McLaren wasnt too impressed with Browns kicking style! "It was full of books, newspaper cuttings, magazines and videos - there were three piles of videos from floor to ceiling. A look back at the glorious career of the BBC's world-renowned rugby commentator Bill McLaren, who passed away in January 2010 at the age of 86.John Inverdal.