From:World Rugby Museum
Name/TitleCommentator's Notes
About this objectThese commentator notes of the 07/02/1979 international match between England and Scotland were written by Bill McLaren. Through his work commentating for the BBC’s live coverage of rugby matches Bill McLaren became known as ‘the voice of rugby’.
McLaren started working for the BBC as a commentator in 1953, only retiring in 2002 at the age of 79. He was recognised the world over for his lively and well informed commentary of rugby matches. Before each match he would write down all the match information and statistics on a single sheet of paper. This information included the history of the stadium, player’s histories and a prepared response to the different possible outcomes of the match. For an international match it would take him almost a week to prepare these notes. He was meticulous in his research, aware that his audience of rugby fans would quickly inform him of any inaccuracies.
This match celebrated the centenary of the first Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland. The result was a tie, which seems fitting since the 1879 match also resulted in a tie.
MakerBill McLaren
Maker RoleAuthor
Date Made1979
Place MadeTwickenham, England
Medium and MaterialsPaper
Measurements303 x 450 mm
Credit LineDonated December 1995
Object TypeArchival Material
Object number2007/849
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
