Rugby league great Ray French, who commentated on the sport for the BBC over four decades, has died at the age of 85.
French, a dual code rugby international as a player, commentated on every Challenge Cup final for BBC TV from 1982 to 2008.
He earned four rugby union caps as a second-row forward for England in 1961, before switching to league, playing four times for Great Britain in 1968.
At club level, he played league for St Helens from 1961 to 1967, making more than 200 appearances, before joining Widnes.
The Rugby Football League, the English game’s governing body, said: “The Rugby Football League sends condolences to the family, former team-mates, media colleagues and many friends of Ray French.
“Ray made an immense and unique contribution to the sport of rugby league.”
French, who had a long career as an English teacher as well as being a commentator, started out as a rugby union player for St Helens RUFC.
After switching codes in 1961, he was quickly named captain of the town’s rugby league side, where he won the Championship and Challenge Cup.
He was part of the Great Britain squad who travelled to Australia and New Zealand in 1968, for a tour that included that year’s World Cup.
After retiring from playing, he started a job at BBC Radio Merseyside in 1975 and later became a BBC TV summariser in 1979. In 1981, he replaced Eddie Waring as the BBC’s lead rugby league commentator.
French went on to become one of the most recognisable voices in rugby league before retiring from commentary in 2019.
During his time in commentary he was also appointed as the rugby league correspondent for the Today newspaper when it was launched in 1986.
French was given a place on the Rugby Football League’s Roll of Honour in 2008.
In the 2011 New Year Honours, French was made an MBE for his services to rugby league.
St Helens said the club were “deeply saddened” by his death, and added: “His legacy as a Saint will see him long remembered by both our club and town, but his voice will be forever connected to countless memories for supporters of so many clubs across the country.
“Succeeding the great Eddie Waring as the BBC’s rugby league commentator, French was the voice of almost 30 Challenge Cup finals, as well as thousands more matches for BBC Radio.”
