Max Boyce whose home village of Glynneath has played annual matches against McLarens hometown of Hawick for more than 56 years called for a minutes silence at Wales Six Nations clash with Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on February 13. This refers to Finlay Calder, who won 34 caps for Scotland between 1986 and 1991. 329 pages, Hardcover First published October 1, 2004 Book details & editions Loading interface. *Theyll be dancing in the streets of Hawick/Selkirk/ tonight. The Bill McLaren Foundation on Twitter Phill Bennetts club was Llanelli (part of which would morph into the Scarlets in the professional era). Stradey is a location in the middle of the town of Llanelli. You'll see why. Become an ambassador (looks good on your CV). 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. 21K views, 416 likes, 40 loves, 28 comments, 44 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Welsh Rugby Union: #WALvENG75: . The twins and two more brothers did all play together for their club. 1953 was his first appearance on national radio and he went on . 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Bill McLaren was the best rugby commentator of all time and one of the best men the world has ever seen. But in truth, he was much more than rugby's voice, more its full-blown orchestra, devoted to the works of the Romantic movement, and only the Romantic. His grammar school-educated father, Kenneth, was a research chemist who played amateur football for Wycombe Wanderers and three times for English representative sides as an inside-forward. Something went wrong, please try again later. His spirit lives on here in this blog and in The Bill McLaren Foundation. The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the world's best rugby commentator ever. Perhaps it was the . But McLaren was clearly of the opinion that the lock was well-nourished! Hence the description of the run-away giraffe. "We have around 10,000 items of fan mail and we could only find one that had a complaint.". On the very few occasions that he got the ball without a defender in sight, he would charge up the field with knees lifted high. He was awarded his MBE in 1992, an OBE in 1995 and a CBE in the 2003 honours list. Aidan Smith's Saturday Interview: Welsh wizard John Taylor on one of rugby's great contests, Bill McLaren, standing against apartheid and his worry that Scotland are "building something". He played in the second row and captained New Zealand eleven times. Comments. It was nothing personal. Eddie went to Monmouth school, on the border of England and Wales, an institution reluctant to select players for Wales school sides. But despite an internet campaign last year, he was never knighted. Among the personal highlights of his career were the commentary for Scotlands Grand Slam victory over England at Murrayfield in 1990. He was a forward spotter deep in hostile territory, often on his own, identifying enemy targets and relaying the information back to his unit. The Quinnell name is famous in Welsh rugby. Scott had a longer career at the top end of international rugby. It was just that Bill, given the choice of two television monitors, liked to hunch over the one closer to him. 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. Oct 20 Celebrate what would have been Bill's 100th year with fantastic company & storytelling from @JiffyRugby & @MrAndrewCotter, plus special guests! He moved out to the wing a few years later, where he played for his country through much of the 1970s. A Facebook group, backed by over 6,000 members, was campaigning to gain a knighthood for McLaren. McLaren was married to Bette, with whom he had two daughters Linda (born 1952) and Janie (born 1954, died 2000). 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Three of his grandchildren went on to play rugby, with Rory Lawson and Jim Thompson both current professionals. However, this is nothing new. Susan and his children survive him. Re carpet slippers hes right. Pity they couldnt get over for that second try. on Twitter: "New on @Playing_Pasts Bill McLaren obituary | Rugby union | The Guardian You can probably tell that McLaren wasnt too impressed with Browns kicking style! Rugby greats from past and present gathered at Murrayfield last night to remember veteran commentator Bill McLaren. Early life and rugby career. Former Wales captain Gwyn Jones, 37, said McLaren was famous for dispensing Hawick balls Scottish butter mint sweets to everyone he met. Television now rules the rugby broadcaster, but there are still some superb radio commentators. Among those to speak were McLaren's grandson Rory Lawson who competed for Scotland in the Calcutta Cup two days later. He was capped 61 times from 1990 to 2000. Born in Chorley, Lancashire, he played 10 times at Test level and proved an exceptional player for Swansea RFC, for whom he made 242 appearances and skippered in 1976-77. I think hes muttering a few naughty Hawick words. You may also know him as a top blazer in World Rugby. Bill McLaren, a gentleman with passion and a rare gift for description. Eddie Butler was a rarity in top-class sport. Llanelli were one of the 11 founding clubs of the WRU in 1881 and one of the most famous names in world club rugby, producing legends such as Phil Bennett, Ray Gravell, Delme Thomas and Ieuan Evans. (c) Find someone who loves rugbyand send this link as a surprise gift (birthday, Christmas or any time just because you love them). Bennets got his first cap for Wales when he came on as a substitute for an injured teammate. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him you get to make a wish. He was renowned for his jerky sidestep that he executed at high speed. Fri Feb 3 2023 - 10:29. 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". I was fortunate enough to be playing at a time when he was at his peak and if you watched a match and he wasnt commentating it wasnt the same.. In other words, the first part refers to Hasting pulling up his shorts. However, Gibbs was also renowned as a hard-tackling machine. By 1980 Butler had won his first cap in the defeat of France in Cardiff. Born in Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, in 1923, McLaren started out as a player and made the Hawick first XV prior to the Second World War, during which he served with the Royal Artillery. McLarens final commentary was the game between Wales and Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in 2002, when the crowd sang For Hes a Jolly Good Fellow and one Welsh supporter displayed a banner claiming Bill McLaren is Welsh. The event combined show reels of some of McLaren's most famous moments and some of McLaren's favourite music including a specially recorded performance of Caledonia by Dougie MacLean and a performance by Ronnie Browne of The Corries. Rugby greats pay tribute to Bill McLaren, who died yesterday Thousands pay tribute to McLaren - ESPN Butler became a published author in 2014. A banner was also held up by one of the Cardiff crowd proclaiming: "Bill McLaren is Welsh". Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images. *Would ye like a Hawick ball, son ? I remember interviewing him once about his early influences, and he mentioned being impressed by the great Jack Manchester, captain of the All Blacks, in 1935. He particularly enjoyed having the Sunday pulpit to himself at the Observer rather than the daily grind at the Guardian. If youre not familiar with Celtic culture theres a notion that if you catch a tiny magical creature, it will grant you a wish. Seeking inspiration for his first team talk as Scotland captain in November 2010, Rory Lawson decided to head for Hawick where his grandfather, World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Bill McLaren, had taught and encouraged so many children to play rugby in a lifetime devoted to the sport. Butler, who played 16 times for Wales and was called up as a replacement for the Lions in New Zealand in 1983, was a tireless charity fundraiser. Regarding He could sidestep 3 men in a telephone box would this be a welsh wizard, Barry John? News, views and all the moves in the world of Rugby Union, On Phil Bennett:They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him [Phil Bennett] you get to make a wish., On Jonah Lomu:Im no hod carrier but I would be laying bricks if he [Jonah L] was running at me., On Grant Batty:He plays like a runaway bullet., On Gerald Davies:His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning., Its high enough, its long enough AND ITS STRAIGHT ENOUGH.. Here is McLaren watching a lock forward making a break up the field. Derek Quinnell played for Wales but this quote refers to two of his sons. "For the exhibition we will put everything back to where it was left.". If there was violence, itwas never anything more than "brief shenanigans", and nobody ever kicked a ball badly, but merely made it look abit like one of Bill's own "scruffy nineirons". However, he said it was fair to describe the room as "chaotic" and added: "It was an absolute tip. Theres the Quinnell brothers, two well-nourished individuals. Dont forget, firstly, theres lots of rugby stories (scroll down the right hand side to see rugby in the categories) and secondly, there are 4 separate posts containing Bills Quotes. Warren Gatland: has never forgiven Irish rugby after he was removed as Irish coach two decades ago. 20 of the best quotes from the 'Voice of Rugby' Bill McLaren Commentators today cannot match the wit and the speed of his comments. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? We are the leading rugby union news and content network delivering you the latest news, views and all the moves in Rugby Union. *Hes like a demented ferret up a wee drainpipe. Breeks are breeches. They beat the world once by 70-3.. Not just a Scottish rugby legend, Bill McLaren is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports broadcasters of all time. Historian Murray Watson said he had spent two years going through 30,000 different items from the room. He was the player who won 16 caps for Wales and captained his country on six occasions before retiring from international rugby union aged 27. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. In 2000 Bill and Bette lost their daughter Janie to cancer. He had a twin brother Jim who also played for Scotland and toured with the Lions (New Zealand in 1983). Renwick was also a placekicker, although not the usual first-choice kicker for his country. William Pollock "Bill" McLaren, CBE (16 October 1923 - 19 January 2010) was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. But by the time his international career was over in 1984, the No 8 had become slightly disillusioned with life in the goldfish-bowl of Welsh rugby. Read about our approach to external linking. A recreation of the office will act as a centrepiece of an exhibition to celebrate Bill's centenary. Youll find some lists of McLaren quotes that dont clarify who hes talking about. But he was broad-shouldered and had a big physical presence. *Hes like a raging bull with a bad head. I think it might be easier to tackle a snooker table than Lomu. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Matt Williams: Warren Gatland factor makes Wales a real threat to His club was the Hawick Harlequins, Hawick being a town in Scotland. With reference to Moss Keane prime Irish beef? Over the. I dont remember Beaumont as being particularly large. Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. think of a trout leaping up a stream. This video contains content from Six Nations Rugby, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds Bill McLaren's 'Best Bits' - Highlights from the Voice of Rugby Bill McLaren. The switch to television came six years later. Now think of those gangly steps when under the influence of a particular illegal substance! Stradey Park was the home ground for Llanelli RFC. Bill McLaren followed the likes of Peter O'Sullevan, John Arlott, Harry Carpenter and Murray Walker into retirement and a generation of BBC commentators had finally fallen silent. Tell us your story. He played golf every day, come hail or shine, with his wife, Bette, whom he met at a local hop in 1947. New on @Playing_Pasts today A DRAGON AMONGST 'LIONS'! This weekend, like any other when the Six Nations Championship is being held, he will watch the matches from television at his home. Our previous quotes have generally referred to a single individual. McLaren also featured as a commentator on the video games Jonah Lomu Rugby and EA Rugby 2001, and also did voice work for Telewest Communications. Gerald Davies was capped for Wales as a centre in 1966. Hes not a man you could hide in a lineout! There wont be the same amusing phrases, the vivid descriptions of players and locations from the contemporary commentators. [7]. HIS 50 years behind the microphone led to his reputation as the voice of rugby. Edward Thomas Butler, rugby player and sports journalist, born 8 May 1957; died 15 September 2022, Rugby player who won 16 caps for Wales and went on to become an Observer journalist and a leading commentator for the BBC, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. During his final commentary, Wales v Scotland in 2002, the crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow"[8] and one Welsh supporter displayed a banner claiming "Bill McLaren is Welsh". *His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning (description of Welsh wing Gerald Davies). Big Victor Ubogu had his shorts ripped to shreds in a frantic ruck and as he bent down to change them right in front of the camera his big behind came into view, Bills dulcet tones rang out A splendid rear-view there! The whole pub erupted with laughter. Former Welsh international turned pundit and broadcaster Jonathan Davies, 47, was McLarens co-commentator for his final game and said he had grown up listening to McLaren before working alongside him. All 60 Of The Best quotes are categorised as follows: Celebrations x 1; Fisticuffs x 3; Tough Guys x 5; Big Boys x15; Running x 12; Passing x 1; Kicking x 10; Jumping x 4; Weather x 2; Absolute Classic McLaren x 5; Looking Back x 2 Encouraging students x 1; Sportsmanship x 1. On Phil Bennett: "They say down at Stradey that if ever you catch him [Phil Bennett] you get to make a wish." The suggestion was that Waless leader was not passionate enough. I think McLaren is saying that hed quickly lay bricks to build a wall as a defense. The legendary commentator, who retired in 2002 after almost 50 years as a broadcaster, died in hospital yesterday morning, aged 86. Here is McLarens view of the diminutive winger: Despite Battys stature, he was known for being hard as nails. Here is McLaren on one of the greatest players in the history of the sport: 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. Well, no dancing in the streets of Hawick tonight but Scotland were unlucky to lose by a 14 pt margin. Ryan simply had too much for Canadian Houle as her precision and power saw her control .
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