Latest news with #BillMcLaren
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rugby bursary recognises Bill McLaren's legacy
A new bursary to help young rugby players has been set up in honour of the man who became the voice of the Bill McLaren Foundation (BMF) scheme will see up to four female and four male players receive a share of £30, aims to allow them to dedicate more time to their rugby in order to achieve their Scotland captain Rory Lawson, who is Bill's grandson, said the partnership with Scottish Rugby was "incredibly meaningful". Bill McLaren's career behind the microphone began with BBC radio in 1953 and he went on to become one of the most recognisable voices in the game over the next five his death in 2010, the BMF was formed by former friends and colleagues in his hometown of Hawick."Papa dedicated his life not just to rugby as a broadcaster, but to the people in it," said his grandson Rory."He was a teacher at heart, and he believed greatly in nurturing talent with encouragement and purpose."For Scottish Rugby to embrace this vision and help create a pathway for the next generation of Scottish rugby players, especially those who may need a little extra support, makes our family immensely proud and we're honoured that his name continues to inspire and open doors for others." Alan Lawson said his late father-in-law was not just a "legendary commentator" he was also a "committed teacher and mentor"."He always said the game was about more than just what happened on the pitch - it's about character, respect and community," he said."This bursary will encourage home grown talent to actualise their dreams and potential - exactly the kind of legacy he would be proud of."Bill's daughter, Linda Lawson, said it was "very exciting" to see the bursary set up in her father's name."He believed passionately in encouraging young people and instilling the values of respect, discipline, and sportsmanship that define the game at its best," she said."This bursary is a beautiful way to carry forward his legacy — not only his love for rugby, but his belief in its power to shape lives."The initial bursary scheme will run for the first time in the 2025/26 season.
The Guardian
22-02-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Agony for Finn Russell after missed kick hands England win over Scotland
At long last England have shaken off their Calcutta Cup blues. Never in the previous 153 years of this fixture had Scotland managed five successive wins over the auld enemy and another tartan triumph really would have had them dancing in the streets of Galashiels in Bill McLaren's memory. This was a desperately tight old battle, though, with a second gripping home victory in consecutive games only secured right at the death. In the end it all hinged on whether Finn Russell could land the angled conversion following Duhan van der Merwe's 79th-minute try. Up went the ball, end over end, and for the first half of its flight it seemed Scotland might be celebrating once more. Agonisingly for the visitors, though, it then curved just wide of the left-hand upright to leave England, to their immense relief, still alive in the title race. It was hard not to feel sympathy for Russell, whose side registered three tries to one and were much the better attacking force behind the scrum. Once again, though, England managed to hang tough when it really mattered, a long raking last quarter penalty from Fin Smith proving just enough to stem the tide of modern history. The middle weekend of the Six Nations championship is often a defining one and England will cling to this result as further evidence their fortunes are looking up. The old adage normally has it that forwards decide matches and backs determine by how much. It was eventually proved true in this case, too, but only just. Scotland's threequarter line were a constant threat, dark blue predators throughout, showing exactly why they will probably supply a clutch of British & Irish Lions in Australia this summer. For all England's pre-game bullishness, the recent history of this fixture should also have forewarned them. One Red Rose win in the previous seven games between the teams could hardly be dismissed as a fluke and the hosts needed all the bench horsepower they could muster to allow Maro Itoje to hoist the famous old trophy and prevent another Gregor Townsend-inspired heist. England might have been the fortunate beneficiaries of French largesse earlier this month but, on a dry mild day, these visitors were more ruthless with the opposition line in sight for long periods. Scotland's game was built on the three 'A's that so often underpin their best performances: ambition, aggression and, most crucially of all, accuracy, but, ultimately, England's scramble defence and superior kicking off the tee proved the difference. It added up to another gripping example of why this has become one of the calendar's most entertaining contests and another grand occasion in a season increasingly full of them. Temperature wise it also felt less like winter and more like spring. Scotland, furthermore, had spent the buildup training in Spain and began as if they were participating in a summer sevens tournament. With England already back-pedalling, Van der Merwe surged past Ollie Lawrence's tackle and fed Tom Jordan, who rifled a sensational long inside pass to the supporting Ben White, who scored with ease. England managed a swift response when Tommy Freeman, with advantage being played, crashed through Russell and Jordan, and Marcus Smith's conversion recaptured the advantage for his side. Scotland, though, were still looking confident with ball in hand and only a couple of small set-piece errors temporarily spared England from further inconvenience. It was not a huge surprise, then, when Scotland conjured another ripper of a try. Kyle Rowe, roaming hungrily off his wing, fed Blair Kinghorn, who set Van der Merwe free down the same left touchline. This time the man lurking on the inside was Huw Jones who smashed past Ollie Sleightholme to give the visitors further encouragement. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion It was a far cry from Scotland's disappointing effort against Ireland last time out. Maybe there is a psychological block they struggle to overcome in that fixture; the merest glimpse of a white shirt, however, and they come alive. Tactically they also have a keen sense of where England's vulnerabilities might lie and their pace and incision in the wider channels frequently made life a nightmare for England's overstretched defence. In Russell, they also have a player who has learned not to overplay his hand. Only in the scrum did the home side enjoy much in the way of consistent joy and, just before half-time, another set-piece penalty led to England's most dangerous attacking surge of the opening 40 minutes. Only an excellent tackle from Van der Merwe stopped a speeding Marcus Smith from going all the way to the line but, with the try still crying out to be scored, Lawrence's attempted 'cat flap' offload to Sleightholme flew wastefully into touch. The permanent loss of No 8 Tom Willis at the interval and Tom Curry within seven minutes of the restart were further blows but surely England would prove more incisive in the second half regardless? Their kick-heavy diet was beginning to earn boos from their own supporters and handing Scotland's backs free ball was a plan with a good deal of risk attached to it. A fine stop tackle by Fin Smith on Jordan, though, underlined the hosts' continuing desire and a 56th-minute penalty from Marcus Smith drew them level . In similar circumstances against France they had managed to kick off the bend but this was a different kind of contest, against more focused opponents. Even at 16-10 up, with England finally, looking safe, up popped Van der Merwe to scare the living daylights out of them. This time, though, Russell could not quite nail down the coffin lid.
The Guardian
30-01-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Dupont's return heralds fizzing new era for what could be a spectacular Six Nations
Every now and again it is useful to be reminded of rugby union's place in the grand scheme of things. 'So, what's next for you?' a non‑sporty friend asked the other day. He must have spotted my raised eyebrow. 'Oh, yes, um, it's the Six Nations, isn't it?' Even on Planet Zog, inhabited by people who think a cauliflower ear is a tasty veggie option, they have heard of the annual rugby equivalent of Glastonbury. And, traditionally, that has been the sport's saving grace. Millions with limited interest in club rugby gather to cheer on the lands of their fathers, grandmothers and wolfhounds. The technical intricacies matter less than pouring a Guinness 0.0 – seemingly the pint du jour – and announcing to no one in particular that England are coming in nicely under the radar. In days gone by, for the most part, the skill levels on the field were secondary. Instead there was a certain thrill to be had from watching, say, Ireland kicking ahead – any head? – on a lashing wet day in Dublin. Or rampant Scottish forwards stampeding around Murrayfield like mad giraffes, to steal from the peerless Bill McLaren. And, of course, the forging of lifelong friendships in the bar afterwards. Increasingly, though, the times are a-changing. It could even be that the 2025 men's championship, kicking off in Paris on Friday night, proves a watershed moment. Some significant conversations are under way in the background as the organisers seek to nail down the next TV broadcasting deal starting in 2026. Could the holy grail of free‑to‑air live coverage go the way of the dodo? Quite possibly, if the money men get their way. Even if that seismic shift does not happen immediately, the pressure to stay relevant and marketable to younger audiences grows ever more intense. Next season, for example, the Six Nations window is set to shrink, with just one fallow weekend rather than the current two. There is still no official appetite for promotion or relegation – imagine the pre-game atmosphere if Spain ever hosted England or France in Barcelona – but broadening the tournament's appeal remains a priority. Which brings us to the good news. Actually, make that the great (and extremely timely) news. The professional 'product', to use that soulless corporate term, has never been so compelling. It is even possible the 2025 Six Nations will turn the heads of those who normally identify as rugby agnostics. Not so long ago predictable box-kicking and suffocating defensive blankets were in danger of smothering the professional game alive. Now, weather permitting, a fizzing new era is upon us. Take France. Anyone who has witnessed Toulouse or Bordeaux Beglès play in the Champions Cup this season will already have seen the vapour trails the best French players are leaving behind them. It is not so much the obvious brilliance of their backs as the fusion of rugby's fundamentals into one gloriously complete package. Pace, power, quick ball, support on either side of the ball carrier, an eye for space, yet more pace. Performed well, it can be almost impossible to defend against. If Les Bleus can conjure something similar against Wales at the Stade de France, with the once‑in-a-generation talent of Antoine Dupont back after missing the 2024 tournament, it will set this year's campaign off like a rocket – and demonstrate that Test rugby, for all its extra intensity, power and claustrophobia, can still be a thing of beauty. Because what sells rugby best of all, ultimately, are those mad days when the field appears to be filled by 30 supermen, all either impossibly big and frightening or ridiculously skilful and quick. Stick it all together and you have Asterix and Obelix side by side, fighting the good fight, sustained by whatever magic potion their nutritionists allow these days. Remember the final round of Super Saturday fixtures in 2015 when England and France engaged in a crazy 12-try ding‑dong at Twickenham? It is not inconceivable, a decade on, that this year's entertainment will be similarly eye-catching. The aforementioned French will surely take some stopping, particularly when the prolific and wonderfully elusive Damian Penaud returns. Even without the injured Gaël Fickou and Charles Ollivon, France have the set‑piece grunt and collective craft to withstand all comers. If not, well, their head coach Fabien Galthié will once again stand accused of not maximising the potential of their most talented crop of young players in decades. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Ireland are arguably the opposite: a great side at risk of treading water. Without the injured Tadhg Furlong they are ever more reliant on a handful of influential game-breakers and it is asking a lot of Sam Prendergast to expect him to replicate Johnny Sexton's influence overnight. No men's championship side has won three successive outright titles and they will have to be on it from the start simply to see off England at the Aviva Stadium. Because England, as with Scotland and Italy, are about to burst into the arena intent on shaking up the status quo that has allowed the Irish and the French to occupy the top two placings in each of the past three years. A recast English side under new on-field leadership have made a conscious pledge to play without fear and see where it takes them. Not all the way to the top of the mountain, perhaps, but they are genuinely determined to up the tempo and, unlike last year, to keep on coming in the last quarter of games. Scotland potentially have an even slicker backline but the loss of their captain, Sione Tuipulotu, has robbed Gregor Townsend's perfectly balanced midfield of its central strut. While the Scots still have Finn Russell's sorcery even Italy will now be approaching the game at Murrayfield on Saturday with renewed relish. Last year they drew with France and defeated Scotland and Wales and, 25 years on from their tournament admission, are a squad on the rise. Which leaves Wales, wooden spoonists last year, at risk of retaining that unwanted kitchen implement. Their biggest hope, along with every other home union, is that the dangled carrot of a British & Irish Lions tour inspires Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright, Will Rowlands and Gloucester's classy Tomos Williams to confound the predictions of pessimistic outsiders. Maybe that collective motivation is France's biggest threat. It is necessary to rewind to 1997 to find the last time one of England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland failed to win the championship immediately before a Lions tour. All too often there tends to be a fiendish twist absolutely no one saw coming. So bonne chance to your granny and your wolfhound, and do you think England might be dark horses this year?
