pwrmoore wrote:The late Bill McClaren (sp?) is very sadly missed. He was a true expert who parked his partisan colours at the door when he entered the commentator's booth. He was the consummate professional and all who dare to follow in his footsteps should look at he master and follow his example.
He's still alive!
McLaren had a great turn of phrase and did huge research on all the players and their backgrounds.... but again I think the developments in the modern game left him behind somewhat towards the end of his career.
I hardly thinks he reads this message board Paul so just go back and make a few edits.
For me it's Barnes and Harrison in the commentary box.
Greenwood, Hook & Moore in the studio for sheer entertainment
O'Shea, Corrigan & Sella for actual rugby comments.
I cannot have: Ryle Nugent's nasal whine; Tom McGurk's....everything about him really; Butler, Wood, Guscott & Davies... dull, duller & dullest.
I think Scott Quinell on Sky provides a better insight into the game than most - looking forward to hearing more from him in the Lions tour.
Sky are pretty good all round in terms of their analysts and analysis IMO whatever rugby they are covering - they have a broad base of analysts to call upon depending on where the game is coming from and offer the best coverage.
Would agree that Woody as a BBC analyst seems to be well out of touch with Irish rugby at the minute and I suspect he is in there with more of an eye on the English audience rather than the BBC NI one. I recall at one stage in this 6 Nations championship he stated that Paddy Wallace was an outhalf playing in the centre - he's obviously not watched of Ulster much (if any) this season.
guscott putting his hand up for worst analyst again - confidently calling a deluge of wales tries before the match - then sounding all surprised at half time that the welsh scrum (with yapp & thomas) was being mullered!! he is a content-free zone...
jonathan davies - henson is one of the best centres in the world on his day - I don't even think he's one of the best centres at the ospreys...
[The Artist Formerly Known as Caolan]
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero - Tyler Durden
I thought I remembered the announcement of his death in recent years. 
