English Rugby Pundits- are they a problem?
Edit: commentators who work on English club rugby TNT/Europe
Watching this week’s games got me thinking about how many English rugby pundits are either unlikeable, unknowledgeable, or just plain dull. When I wrote it down I was genuinely surprised how many I didn’t like (maybe I’m just a hater lol).
Andy Goode — intensely negative and, for me, genuinely ruins games. Hard to listen to.
Lawrence Dallaglio — boring, barely lets anyone else speak, and seems obsessed with himself.
Austin Healey — do I even need to say anything.
Ugo Monye — likeable enough, but I genuinely don’t think he knows the laws. Says things that are just flatly wrong too often to ignore.
Flatman — seems like a nice guy, but the near constant attempts at inane banter are intensely wearying.
Ben Kay — the human form of Weetabix.
Biggar — probably the best of this group, knowledgeable and likeable, just a bit dull in delivery. I’ll admit that might be harsh. I considered putting him with the one I like.
The two who are actually great are Warburton and O’Driscoll — charismatic, articulate, and clearly know the game inside out. Frustrating that they don’t seem to get used more.
Worth saying these are obviously my opinions. But the practical effect is real: I got my girlfriend into international rugby and she enjoyed it, we tried a Prem game and she made me turn the sound off because of the commentary. If the punditry is putting off new viewers, that’s a problem worth taking seriously.
Shoutout to Ali Eykyn and Nick Mullins though — some of the best commentators in the business.