He was a pivotal part of the Pontypool side that was created by Ray Prosser and dominated Welsh club rugby in the late 1970s and early 1980s, captaining the side between 1982 and 1985. He was a very special person., Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis said: When he retired from the game he was missed in the manner that many of the greatest players in Welsh rugby history have been, which is some accolade in itself, before you consider he was a Scotsman.. The camera chose to focus on his rear at this moment. (This usually doesnt end up well for the catcher!). 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. He was renowned for his turns of phrase. His voice came to represent rugby in the same way Murray Walkers did motor racing and Peter OSullevans horse racing. His expressions and the sound of that unique Scottish burrrr, remain vivid memories for a generation who grew up to enjoy and admire his commentaries during the 50 years of his tenure. JPRs former Welsh teammate, winger JJ Williams, 60, from Bridgend, said the commentator had the knack of finding adjectives to makes something ordinary sound fantastic. A burn is a stream i.e. Meanwhile, scroll down to choose a story categorised by a country or a sport. Warren Gatland: has never forgiven Irish rugby after he was removed as Irish coach two decades ago. *The All Blacks that day looked like great prophets of doom. And tributes to Bill McLaren poured in last night from some of the greatest players to have ever graced the. Over the following five decades he became one of the most recognisable and favoured voices on radio and television. *His sidestep was marvellous like a shaft of lightning (description of Welsh wing Gerald Davies). Loading interface. The late great, Bill McLaren was simply the world's best rugby commentator ever. His voice was instantly recognisable, and generations of rugby fans grew up listening to a man they believed to be fair, knowledgeable, and a lover of the game. Heres another interesting fact about Finlay. Renowned throughout the sport, his enthusiasm and a memorable turn of phrase endeared him to all rugby fans. He famously ran down the field and barged through giant Springbok prop Os Du Randt. The WRU said it will remember Bill McLaren at the Wales v Scotland match at the Millennium Stadium on February 13, though it had yet to decide how. They both go up like two pieces of white bread in a pop-up toaster. 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. 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. The son of a knitwear salesman, during the second world war Bill found himself in Italy, a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. However, he said it was fair to describe the room as "chaotic" and added: "It was an absolute tip. Bill believed in sportsmanship shaking hands, thanking the ref, respect, fun and, of course, competition. Here is McLaren watching two locks leaping to take the ball in a lineout. 21K views, 416 likes, 40 loves, 28 comments, 44 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Welsh Rugby Union: #WALvENG75: . Arguably the greatest sports commentator ever, certainly the greatest rugby commentator, Bill McLaren, known as The Voice Of Rugby believed passionately in sport and sportsmanship. In other words, the first part refers to Hasting pulling up his shorts. Gareth Edwards whose 1972 try for Wales against Scotland in the Cardiff mud was the inspiration for one of McLarens most well-known commentaries called him one of the great commentators, if not the best, in the world of rugby. About Bill McLaren: Scottish rugby union player (1923 - 2010 At the East Fortune sanatorium inEast Lothian, he was selected as one offive patients to take part in trials for anew antibiotic, streptomycin. He was capped 15 times for the All Blacks between 1972 and 1977. This is how it sounds when McLaren says cow. 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. 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. Butler was born on 8 May 1957. England was leading with minutes to go, and Gibbs took a pass from his teammate and cut back inside to get over the line. This week we continue with Big Boys. Heres a quote that probably needs a translation for a non-Scottish audience: He hoists his breeks, does a little shammy shammy. Eddie Butler obituary | Rugby union | The Guardian The proud scot also liked to use Scottish phrasing which sometimes needs interpretation for the rest of us. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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. Ive put the quote in the Scottish section because of the burn reference. 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. Some commentators will quickly blabber something innocuous to draw attention away from the incident. If youre not familiar with Celtic culture theres a notion that if you catch a tiny magical creature, it will grant you a wish. [3] Early life [ edit] He did so, rushed back to the hospital, but she had died that afternoon while he was on air. Bill McLaren, horoscope for birth date 16 October 1923, born in - Astro