Ray French: Rugby league legend and BBC commentator dies aged 85

Rugby league nice Ray French, who commentated on the game for the BBC over 4 many years, has died on the age of 85.French, a twin code rugby worldwide as a participant, commentated on each Problem Cup ultimate for BBC TV from 1982 to 2008.He earned 4 rugby union caps as a second-row ahead for England in 1961, earlier than switching to league, taking part in 4 instances for Nice Britain in 1968.At membership stage, he performed league for St Helens from 1961 to 1967, making greater than 200 appearances, earlier than becoming a member of Widnes.The Rugby Soccer League, the English sport’s governing physique, mentioned: “The Rugby Soccer League sends condolences to the household, former team-mates, media colleagues and plenty of pals of Ray French. “Ray made an immense and distinctive contribution to the game of rugby league.” French, who had a protracted profession as an English trainer in addition to being a commentator, began out as a rugby union participant for St Helens RUFC.After switching codes in 1961, he was shortly named captain of the city’s rugby league facet, the place he gained the Championship and Problem Cup.He was a part of the Nice Britain squad who travelled to Australia and New Zealand in 1968, for a tour that included that 12 months’s World Cup.After retiring from taking part in, he began a job at BBC Radio Merseyside in 1975 and later grew to become a BBC TV summariser in 1979. In 1981, he changed Eddie Waring because the BBC’s lead rugby league commentator.French went on to grow to be some of the recognisable voices in rugby league earlier than retiring from commentary in 2019.”Ray French was a real big within the sport of Rugby League,” mentioned Philip Bernie, head of BBC Sport Occasions.”Following his outstanding taking part in profession – a global in each rugby codes – he grew to become the voice of the game. For almost 40 years, his distinctive, heat, energetic and enthusiastic commentary magnificently embellished the BBC’s protection of the sport.”He was such a likeable and fascinating broadcaster, and, for these fortunate sufficient to know him, a extremely fantastic, loveable man. We’re so saddened by the information right this moment and ship all our ideas and sympathies to Ray’s household.”French was given a spot on the Rugby Soccer League’s Roll of Honour in 2008.Within the 2011 New 12 months Honours, French was made an MBE for his companies to rugby league.St Helens mentioned the membership have been “deeply saddened” by his loss of life, and added: “His legacy as a Saint will see him lengthy remembered by each our membership and city, however his voice shall be endlessly related to numerous recollections for supporters of so many golf equipment throughout the nation. “Succeeding the nice Eddie Waring because the BBC’s rugby league commentator, French was the voice of virtually 30 Problem Cup finals, in addition to hundreds extra matches for BBC Radio.”