• Rugby Union

Legendary commentator Bill McLaren dies

Scrum.com staff
January 19, 2010
Bill McLaren has died aged 86 © Getty Images
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Former commentator Bill McLaren, known affectionately as 'the voice of rugby', has died aged 86.

McLaren's celebrated broadcasting career with the BBC led him to become a focal part of the rugby landscape and he remains the only non-player to be inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. He was awarded an OBE, CBE and MBE for his services to the sport and retired in 2002.

Born in Hawick, Scotland, in 1923, he was a talented flanker in his youth and progressed to the verge of a full cap for his country in 1947 before a bout of tuberculosis ended his playing days and very nearly his life.

His journalistic career began with the Hawick Express before he jumped into commentary, making his radio debut for the BBC in 1953 as Scotland lost 12-0 to Wales. His first television appearance came in 1959 and his last in 2002, as Scotland beat Wales 27-22 in Cardiff.

Alongside his commentary career, McLaren taught physical education after studying in Aberdeen, overseeing the early development of several future Scotland caps. His grandson, Rory Lawson, is a current Scotland international scrum-half.

"There must have been something inside me that wanted to describe rugby football to people," he recalled before his retirement. "I've still got the fictional reports I used to write when I was a wee boy of seven or eight. Scotland always won. They beat the world once by 70-3."

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