Rugby League Great Ray French, who commented on the game for BBC in four decades, died at the age of 85.
As a player, a dual code rugby International, French commented on every Challenge Cup final for BBC TV from 1982 to 2008.
He earned four rugby union caps as the second line for England in 1961, playing four times for Great Britain in 1968, before switching to the league.
At the club level, he played a league for St. Hallens from 1961 to 1967, who had more than 200 appearances before joining the Widmene.
The English game governing body Ragby Football League said: “Rugby Football League expresses condolences to many friends of the former team-partner, media colleagues and Ray French.
“Ray made a big and unique contribution to the game of Rugby League.”
French, who had a long career as an English teacher, as well as a rugby union player for St. Helens RUFC, being a commentator.
After switching the code in 1961, he was quickly named captain of the city’s rugby league side, where he won the Championship and Challenge Cup.
He was part of the Great Britain squad, who visited Australia and New Zealand in 1968, which included the World Cup of the year.
After retiring from playing, he started a job in BBC Radio Mercesis in 1975 and later became BBC TV Sumaraj in 1979. In 1981, he converted Eddie Varring into the BBC chief Rugby League commentator.
French became one of the most recognizable sounds in the rugby League before retiring from commentary in 2019.
Philip Burney, head of BBC Sport events, said, “Ray was a true giant in the French Rugby League game.”
“After his remarkable sports career – both rugby code – he became the voice of the game. For about 40 years, his distinctive, warm, energetic and enthusiastic comments dissolved the BBC coverage of the game.
“He was such an attractive and attractive broadcaster, and, for those lucky people who were a very amazing, lovely man to learn them. We are very sad from the news today and send all our thoughts and sympathy to Ray’s family.”
French was placed in 2008 on the Roll of Honor of the Rugby Football League.
In honor of the 2011 New Year, French was made MBE for his services for the Rugby League.
St. Hallens said that the club was “deeply sad” than his death, and said: “His legacy as a saint would miss him for a long time by our club and the city, but his voice will always be associated with countless memories for supporters of so many clubs across the country.
“The French was the voice of the French approximately 30 Challenge Cup finals, successful as the BBC’s rugby league commentator, as well as thousands of matches for BBC radio.”
