Dave Woods has taken over as the main BBC commentator and will be doing the CC final.

Woods a well boring commentator. And he's a Pie eater. Viva Ray French!

He and Davies have no rapport.

french Constantly interrupts him.

Mind that is a case of devil and deep blue sea. If they could just both remain interrupted then it would be great.

I remember listening to Ray French in Challenge cup rounds for aslong as I can remember. Whilst he does make mistakes and use the same old cliches. "20 year old, 6ft2, 15 stone former Milford Amateur", it's a shame imo.

I'll be sad to see him leave, as mentioned, Woods is boring. Whilst Ray French as never lacked enthusiasm in the commentry box.

Indeed. I get sick of hearing people complain about the likes of Ray French and Stevo. Yes they don't know what they're on about at times, but neither do most of the people on these boards. They're enthusiastic and entertaining, and thats what I like.

Ray French has been as damaging for rugby league as Eddie Wareing time for some fresh blood !!

holy hell thank GOD for that.

French is such an embarassing old fart his commentary is TERRIBLE

player drops ball, opposition start back slapping

cue the old rat: ''has he lost the ball? yeeeessssss i think he has!''

Player is just grounding the ball under the sticks

cue coffin dodger: '' NOW, HAS HE GOT THE LEGS? YEEEEESSSSS I THINK HE HAS''

Finally the game is free from the iron grip of embarassment, that is ray french.

I thought we were going to have to wait for him to die before he relinquished the throne.

What is he? 90 YEARS OLD?

the old timer can't have long left now.

70 I'd guess, he was at college and shared a house with my old man.

As an after dinner speaker he's very good and not afraid to take the mickey out of himself.

As a bloke to sit and have a pint with he's a very interesting companion, loves to travel and loves to talk about his travels, there aren't many country's in the world that he hasn't been to.

As a writer on RL he is very good and very knowledgeable, very readable.

As a live TV commentator he ranks with some of the worst and as such was the perfect replacement for Eddie Waring, there are those who will state a conspiracy theory with the toffs at the BBC wishing to continue the northern oik presenter for our isolated game when they looked for Eddies replacement, and I'd probably go along with that.

I've had that opinion and stated that opinion for many years so won't change it now, its about time he stood down from the commentating, long overdue - I just don't like Dave Woods' voice though



Contrary to a lot of other opinion I think Eddie and Stevo do a good job of promoting the sport...

Agree.

Seems a reasonable enough bloke but his commentary is a joke

Davies, surely not?

Ray French=Legend






Good Luck in you're retirement!

A whole hearted RL man, and genuine lover of the game. I hope he has a long and happy retirement.

What he said but I do think Dave Woods is ok... but he could do to get a little more excited.

I also think that maybe they should have let Ray do one last final...

he hasnt retired

Well if you think you can do better than Mr French, here is your chance - [urlhttp://www.irnbrugby.co.uk/[/url

Emosi Koloto - this big lad from tonga, bought for three pounds fifty and a set of shirts.

If you are ever in the company of Ray, get him to tell you the story about the bloke who won a competition to commentate with him, it's classic.

He might have his faults as a commentator, but neither the players nor the officials are perfect so he's ok by me. Hope you have a long and happy retirement big fella.

Seems an odd time to retire to me.

Yes, he is past his best but surely he should have seen this CC campaign out.

i hope he has a short and very troubled retirement.



=whitejoking

Karma, it'll bite you in the behind one day kid.

Bet Ray won't tell you the story of him being tired & emotional in Sydney during the World Cup ...

Oohhhhhh .... But, No !

Offiah for the corner .... Offiah for the corner (actually, it's Sonny Nickle, Ray ... )

if saints had been there, maybe he would have seen it out