I liked the one when he questioned why Penky would attempt a ball steal 5 yards from his own line on the second tackle , Johnathon replied " maybe to stop Bradford scoring Ray "

He really is quite terrible at commentating, which is a shame because I used to like him. Maybe I just didn't realise how he was when I was young; or maybe the likes of Alex Murphy made him appear much better than he actually was. Nowadays he sounds like an old man watching it on the telly in his front room, mumbling every now and then and squeeling quite a lot.

Ray French is fine until Saint Helens are playing.

When Saints play French doesnt get the games anymore because he makes a mess all over the studio floor. The man can ejaculate every time a Saints player touches the ball.

I remember some years ago he was commentating a game (cant remember opposition v Saints) Anyway the attack put in a lovely kick down field and followed it up by what must have been about a 50 metre chase tackling Wellens over the line who had caught the ball. Cue Ray French "That was excellent from Wellens"...................

And I'm sure you sound like Sir Laurence Olivier when you shuffle your feet and stare at the floor and mumble 'no' to the staff down the dole office every fortnight when they ask you if you have done any paid or unpaid work since the last time you signed on.

I think the game has left Ray French behind. You almost expect him to come out with a comment about the game being better in his day. It's like sitting next to my Grandad (RIP) and watching a game.

Having said all that, well done on the MBE to a legend of the game

Aw, I've upset someone.

Your carer probably.

You forgot to do a raspberry and say "ner ner ne ner ner."

Yep.

Definitely your carer.

It was hilarious today when, Whitehead I think, scored the try with the two dummies. As he ran in Ray was getting excited that he was going to score and at the exact moment he put the ball down, with no defender near him, Ray disappointingly announced he hadn't scored. As usual JD had to say he had scored!

i hope he hangs up his microphone sooner rather than later before he ends up being treated like Eddie Waring.

He is a RL legend lets hope he is not allowed to turn into a caricature and a laughing stock.

double post

actually he said "will he (the defender) catch him", and then when he scored he said "no he wont"
it was Jiffy who wasnt listening to the man sat next to him and for some reason had to say, yes he has scored

This.

You can't question French's enthusiasm or knowledge for the game. The problem is that he isn't "cut out" for live television commentary any more. The game is just too quick.

10 years too late for that.

My favourtie part of his commentary of the Fax v Bulls match was when he said:

That was absolute sh...ambles.

As a journalist & comentator of our game he has much to offer, But calling the game on live TV he is (to be kind) average. But he has a wealth of knowlage on our game was a good player in a good Saints side (I am old enough to have seen him at his best) & dont forget he has had a full career as a teacher & is responsible for introducing genarations of kids to the game, MBE is a well earned reward, I hope I am as active phyisically & mentaly when I get to his age. Well done Ray.

Yes he makes mistakes and has an obsession with players amateur/junior teams, but something about the sound of his voice warms my heart

MBE well and truly deserved

Embarrassing wasn't it? ''Iz ee in,yes ee iz,no ee izn't'' Like some kind of pantomime routine.What made Ray doubt Whitehead had scored, God only knows because it was crystal clear.

I love listening to his commentary, I couldn't care less if he pronounces a name wrong or whatever. It's entertaining. I hope he is given the CC final this year ahead of the other guy, Woods. It'd certainly be a nice reward from the BBC after landing the MBE.

If you think the commentary by Ray French is bad, you have obviously never heard the Eddie Waring pronunciation of the French test side. Trust me it is pure comedy gold, unfortunately it put back RL attempt to be taken seriously by the BBC decades.

Rugby League is a Northern sport.

I don't have a problem with hearing archetypal northern accents like Ray French, Brian Noble or any of the others talking about it.

Can't understand them a lot of the time but it doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the game at all.


Who on earth was that Halifax player interviewed after the Fax v Bradford game the other day?

Obviously Whitehead placing the ball on the line confused him. He needs to be forced into retirement.

Does tha know lad,I am reet glad to eer it.Me whippets el be reet exarted an all.

Presumably it was because Bentham, being the lazy swine that he is, took an age to get over the line and blow the whistle. I didn't think he was going to give for it a moment as well.