Rugby League Legend French Dies Aged 85

Rugby convention awesome Ray French, who commentated connected nan athletics for nan BBC complete 4 decades, has died astatine nan property of 85.

French, a dual codification rugby world arsenic a player, commentated connected each Challenge Cup last for BBC TV from 1982 to 2008.

He earned 4 rugby national caps arsenic a second-row guardant for England successful 1961, earlier switching to league, playing 4 times for Great Britain successful 1968.

At nine level, he played convention for St Helens from 1961 to 1967, making much than 200 appearances, earlier joining Widnes.

The Rugby Football League, nan English game's governing body, said: "The Rugby Football League sends condolences to nan family, erstwhile team-mates, media colleagues and galore friends of Ray French.

"Ray made an immense and unsocial publication to nan athletics of rugby league."

French, who had a agelong profession arsenic an English coach arsenic good arsenic being a commentator, started retired arsenic a rugby national subordinate for St Helens RUFC.

After switching codes successful 1961, he was quickly named skipper of nan town's rugby convention side, wherever he won nan Championship and Challenge Cup.

He was portion of nan Great Britain squad who travelled to Australia and New Zealand successful 1968, for a circuit that included that year's World Cup.

After retiring from playing, he started a occupation astatine BBC Radio Merseyside successful 1975 and later became a BBC TV summariser successful 1979. In 1981, he replaced Eddie Waring arsenic nan BBC's lead rugby convention commentator.

French went connected to go 1 of nan astir recognisable voices successful rugby convention earlier retiring from commentary successful 2019.

During his clip successful commentary he was besides appointed arsenic nan rugby convention analogous for nan Today newspaper erstwhile it was launched successful 1986.

French was fixed a spot connected nan Rugby Football League's Roll of Honour successful 2008.

In nan 2011 New Year Honours, French was made an MBE for his services to rugby league.

St Helens said nan nine were "deeply saddened" by his death, and added: "His bequest arsenic a Saint will spot him agelong remembered by some our nine and town, but his sound will beryllium everlastingly connected to countless memories for supporters of truthful galore clubs crossed nan country.

"Succeeding nan awesome Eddie Waring arsenic nan BBC's rugby convention commentator, French was nan sound of almost 30 Challenge Cup finals, arsenic good arsenic thousands much matches for BBC Radio."

Eamonn McManus, president of St Helens, said: "Ray French was a elephantine of a man successful each consciousness of nan word.

"He touched and influenced truthful galore group and successful truthful galore bully and lasting ways during his rich | and varied life arsenic a schoolmaster, a rugby subordinate and a broadcaster.

"His lukewarm characteristic and unsocial sound will beryllium sorely missed by all. But he leaves a imperishable and meaningful bequest to truthful galore successful his location municipality of St Helens and passim his beloved athletics of rugby league.

"One of my top privileges arsenic president of St Helens complete nan past 25 years was getting to cognize Ray arsenic a friend arsenic good arsenic an iconic fig successful our sport.

"His nonaccomplishment is keenly felt and we each walk connected our heartfelt condolences to his family to whom he was truthful close."

Nigel Wood, chair of Rugby League Commercial, said: "Ray French was 1 of nan existent gentlemen of rugby convention and represented nan finest qualities of nan sport.

"A awesome player, broadcaster and a immense power down nan scenes, and ever arsenic a unit for good."

Leeds Rhinos posted: "Sad news coming of nan passing of rugby convention fable Ray French MBE.

"Ray followed up a awesome profession arsenic a subordinate to go nan sound of Rugby League for a procreation of supporters. Our thoughts are pinch his family and friends astatine this sad time, Ray French RIP."

Former Leeds Rhinos subordinate Barrie McDermott wrote: "Really sad news. A genuine rugby convention fable and nan sound of our athletics for truthful many. A maestro of his trade, a man who had clip for everyone. Always bully pinch me, generous pinch his proposal and benignant pinch his time.

"Thoughts pinch his family and galore friends. Rest In Peace Ray."

Jonathan Davies - a dual codification world who represented Great Britain astatine convention - said: "Really sad news of nan passing of my friend and legendary rugby subordinate and broadcaster.

"I cognize Ray had not been good for a while truthful I dream he passed peacefully. Had galore awesome days pinch Ray he was specified a beautiful man. I dream rugby convention appreciated what awesome activity did for nan game.

"RIP Ray. My condolences to each your family and friends."