Rugby is a sport that can seem entirely impregnable to those that don’t already know about it, which is why the role of a pundit or commentator can be such a crucial one. Finding the balance between explaining the rules to people who known next to nothing about what they’re watching whilst also not making it too boring for those who are all too familiar with the sport can be a tricky thing to do. There is a need to know what you’re talking about whilst also not assuming that those that are listening to you are completely au fait with whatever you’re discussing, which isn’t an easy line to tread for those that have to pull it off.
Pundits & Commentators on TV
Nowadays, it is probably easier to say which sports Sky Sports don’t have the rights for than it is to go the ones that they do. Unsurprisingly, therefore, you can watch a fair bit of rugby action on the broadcaster’s numerous different channels. Both ITV and the BBC are also able to show some of the bigger matches when they are taking place, so that is where you’re most likely to turn to when a tournament such as the Six Nations comes about. TNT Sports might seem like a new kid on the block in comparison, but they have been around for long enough now to mean that you will no doubt have watched some rugby on the channel.
Given the fact that all of the various British Isles have their own rugby teams of which the people living in those nations are extremely proud, is perhaps not all that surprising that the national broadcasters for said nations also have their own rugby coverage for people to sit down and enjoy. Consequently, those in Wales are likely to be able to catch a game on S4C, whilst the Irish will be quick to tune in to RTÉ to see a match or too. Premier Sports is also a broadcaster that people can turn to if they want to try to see some rugby being played, with the likes of BBC Scotland promising more biased commentary than you might get elsewhere.
List of Pundits & Commentators
Here is a list of some of the pundits that will almost certainly be well-known to those of you that have chosen to watch some rugby in the past. Obviously, the list is far from exhaustive and changes on a regular basis, but it will at least offer you a sense of the people whose voices you are likely to hear offering their opinions on the match that you’re being shown by whichever broadcaster it is that you’ve chosen to sit down and watch with:
| Pundit | Channel | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Gabby Logan | BBC | Long-Term Presenter |
| Sam Warburton | BBC | Former Player |
| Martin Johnson | BBC | Former Player |
| John Barclay | BBC | Former Player |
| Sergio Parisse | BBC | Former Player |
| Jonny Wilkinson | BBC | Former Player |
| Mark Pougatch | ITV | Long-Term Presenter |
| Scott Hastings | ITV | Former Player |
| Jill Douglas | ITV | Long-Term Presenter |
| Maggie Alphonsi | ITV | Former Player |
| Ugo Monye | ITV/TNT Sports | Former Player |
| Brian O’Driscoll | ITV | Former Player |
| Ben Kay | TNT Sports | Former Player |
| Danielle Waterman | Sky Sports/ITV | Former Player |
| Shane Williams | BBC/ITV | Former Player |
| Gordon D’Arcy | RTÉ | Former Player |
| David Flatman | ITV/Channel 5/TNT Sports | Former Player |
| Nigel Owens | S4C | Retired Referee |
| Lawrence Dallaglio | ITV | Former Player |
| Austin Healey | BBC/TNT Sports | Former Player |
| Dr Gwyn Jones | S4C | Former Player |
| Matt Dawson | BBC | Former Player |