Review of 6N commentators and pundits

Having previously said monye was ok, his last 6 nations highlights episode on itv was really poor...The whole show was strangely wooden

I quite liked the 3 in the studio in last nights game.  Kayser has been a great addition in recent weeks,  JB is just so measured in everything he says, and he’s only just finished playing the game so knows what’s relevant to the here and now, and McNichol is often sensible.  The commentators and pundits on ITV have been pretty poor throughout the championship.

I disagree with changing simply because they stopped playing yrs ago....These older pros bring a different angle to the game...A nice balance of old and new gives it more flavour for me

roy munster wrote: I disagree with changing simply because they stopped playing yrs ago....These older pros bring a different angle to the game...A nice balance of old and new gives it more flavour for me

...the game has less and less comparable things to a couple of decades ago though Roy...I mean by that the laws of the game as much as anything. Scrums, lineouts, tackling technique, disciplinary protocol, HIA’s and raft of subtle interpretations have evolved to a much different point.

I don’t mind senior ex pros at all, but if you are being paid to be a pundit then try and stay relevant. Watch all the rugby you can, from age grade on.
The ‘ that would never have happened in my day...’ doesn’t really have a place in my view.


Edited by Wil Chips - 27 March 2021 at 8:49pm

Wil Chips wrote: Butler can’t go through a game without getting at least 2 players names hopelessly wrong (continuously). In Wales we see or hear a lot of Holley and Shane.They are unable to attain a neutral viewpoint if the Ospreys are on the pitch. BT, Sky etc just wouldn’t put up with either of the above traits.

ray french the bbc rl guy was shocking for that, he even used to laugh at it himself 😂😂

Holley good analyst i don’t like him as a commentator shanklin os basically a blues cheer leader. Mike phillips is funny and i like jamie roberts. 

roy munster wrote: Butler muddling the odd name doesnt bother me in the slightest but it may bother everyone else Its all part of his charm.  Alas no one comes within a country mile of bill mclaren he ticked every box for me and even boxes he created himself like the endless colourful descriptions and anecdotes,  cliff morgan too was majestic behind the microphone. Both these great men didnt talk over the action like so many do now , they added to what we saw. To coin a corny yankee phrase they were well prepared but also in the moment and reacted on their feet.

I’m sort of suggesting this is my point....Allis, Pickering, Benaud, Carpenter, Walker, McLaren, Motson...these guys were superbly informed and researched all the detail...

Mclaren was great, to tag Geoff Wheel as the ‘ Mumbles Lighthouse’ meant he needed to know where he was from, where Mumbles is, and indeed that there is a lighthouse there. Not something you’d expect your average Scotsman to know really.

Nothing beats a presenter who puts in the hard work & gets informed. I read an interesting article by Flatman recently who put into perspective what he does before any game in which he is involved. I still rate Butler & Moore highly as they are entertaining - I can certainly forgive Butler getting some names wrong.