Broadstreet RFC

The  Rugby Football Union today paid tribute to rugby  commentator Bill McLaren, who has died at the  age of 86.

RFU President John Owen said:  "Bill McLaren was both the voice and the heart  of rugby union. His prodigious knowledge of the  sport was accompanied by a style that epitomised  all that is best in the game."

England  Team Manager Martin Johnson added: "He was the  iconic voice of rugby who many of us grew up  with and he will be sadly  missed."

McLaren started commentating on  BBC radio in 1953, moved to television six years  later and his warm and distinctive style  endeared him to supporters and players alike. He  bowed out at the end of the Wales v Scotland  game in 2002.

"He was a man everybody  thought of as their friend and he was a true  friend to rugby," said Owen.

"It is  unsurprising that the crowd sang 'For he's a  Jolly Good Fellow!' at his last match  commentating - for that is exactly what Bill  was."