Bill McLaren – the voice of rugby – dies at 86

Legendary BBC commentator Bill McLaren, who was known as the 'voice of rugby', has died at the age of 86. 

McLaren retired from broadcasting in 2002 after almost 50 years behind the microphone. He was awarded an OBE, CBE and MBE for his services to the sport and became the first non-international to be inducted to the International Rugby Hall of Fame. There was even an internet campaign to have him knighted last year.

He began his career as a radio commentator for the BBC by covering Scotland's defeat to Wales in 1953. Six years later he moved to television and established himself as the most knowledgeable and well-researched commentator the sport had known.

He was respected by players and fans alike, and during his final game, another Wales against Scotland match in 2002, the Cardiff crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow".

McLaren was born in the Scottish border town of Hawick and also died there. He was a promising rugby player and played for the town before the Second World War. 

During the war he fought at Monte Casino. In 1947 he was given a Scotland trial, but his career was cut short by tuberculosis before he could play an international match.

While recovering from the disease he dabbled in broadcasting on hospital radio and later developed his journalistic skills on his local paper the Hawick Express.

He also studied physical education and carried on a career as a PE teacher alongside his commentary work up until 1987. ·