BBC's 'voice of rugby' to retire

The two Bills: McLaren (r) interviews Beaumont in 1987

The BBC's 'voice of rugby', Bill McLaren, is to retire after more than 50 years as a rugby union commentator.

McLaren is regarded as one of the greats of the game and was recently inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame as the only non-playing member.

The 78-year-old will retire after this season's Six Nations championship.

His final international will be Scotland's match against Wales in Cardiff on 6 April.

He will then commentate on the Melrose Sevens for BBC Scotland on Saturday 13 April, before putting down his microphone for the last time.

When I was a boy of eight-and-a-half I used to think up fictional rugby matches in which Scotland would beat the world by 70 points to three

Bill McLaren

"It's been a sheer delight and I never for one moment thought I would become a BBC commentator," he told BBC Sport Online.

"The BBC has been wonderful to me. I owe it so much.

"I've worked with some wonderful people, some real professionals, who've always helped me - a pure amateur just trying to be as professional as possible."

A talented flanker, McLaren was on the verge of playing for Scotland, before contracting tuberculosis.

Having been forced to end his playing days, he made his first radio commentary in 1952, at a match between old rivals Glasgow and Edinburgh.

One year later he covered the Five Nations match between Scotland and Wales at Murrayfield, though he admits he began honing his skills as a rugby journalist long before.

The great man at the microphone during one of his commentaries

"My father reminded me that when I was a boy of eight-and-a-half I used to think up fictional rugby matches in which Scotland would beat the world by 70 points to three," he said.

"I would go upstairs into the spare room and mimic the commentators of the day, such as HBT Wakelam - Teddy Wakelam - so I obviously had a desire at a young age to communicate something.

"But I never for one moment thought I would spend the best part of my life doing it."

McLaren, whose voice has become synonymous with British rugby, is sure to be missed by rugby fans the world over, and he for one is not looking forward to one aspect of retirement.

"My career, the whole thing, is just a lovely dream," he said.

"I'll look back on all of it with great pleasure and satisfaction and knowledge that I've seen the great games in the great venues.

"And you know what? I've hardly had to pay once to get in!"

A legend retires

Peter Salmon, Head of BBC Sport said: "Bill McLaren is a national sporting treasure.

"His knowledge of rugby union is unsurpassed. His love of the sport is undeniable.

"His first BBC contract was as a 'speaker' - the notion of match commentary hadn't even been invented.

There is no doubt that he will be a great loss to the BBC, but also to rugby as a whole

Former Scottish captain Gavin Hastings

"BBC Sport and the whole of rugby union will miss him, and his record of 50 years may never be beaten. He has set records and standards, and we wish him and all his family a very happy future."

Jonathan Davies, former Wales international in both rugby union and league, agreed that McLaren had done much for the sport.

"When I was a youngster watching rugby on television, Bill was the voice," he told BBC Sport.

"When I was playing for Wales, Bill was commentating on me.

"Now I've gone full circle and all of a sudden found myself commentating with him.

Rugby has paid tribute to one of its favourite sons

"I can't believe it. It's an honour and a privilege to work with someone who puts so much hard work and dedication into their preparation.

"He's an incredible man, and to top it all, he's a real gentleman."

Former Scotland international Gavin Hastings described Mclaren as "a wonderful advert for rugby".

"Even non-followers recognise his voice immediately," he said.

"Bill doesn't realise what a big star he is.

"His line, 'a day out of Hawick is a day wasted', sums up the man; he is humble and generous.

"There is no doubt that he will be a great loss to the BBC, but also to rugby as a whole.

"He has a lot of fans all over the world and it must be a great comfort to take that forward into retirement."