Favourite Rugby Union pundit

Matt Williams.

Does Phillip Matthews commentate on radio or anywhere these days? I used to like him doing the Ireland games on BBC but not been on in a good few years now.

I cannot stand Heaslip commentating. In fact most co-commentators tend to make me want to mute the tv but I want to hear the ref so not really an option.
ITV had Flatman and a woman (who I presume is an ex-player) for the Italy game and the amount of rubbish talked and awful jokes was unreal. There was barely a second of silence the whole game. I think the woman was the same one who was on channel 4 for Leinster Northampton recently and said "what's really interesting there is that that was a deliberate knock-on, but because it has gone backwards, it's ok!" (Henshaw had stuck out arm to intercept a pass after a Northampton break)

Louis Friend wrote: »

Andy Dunne is excellent on Newstalk

+1 on Andy Dunne. Might not get his shot on TV as his playing career was under the radar but really interesting guy. Consistent in his critique of the Irish style of play even throughout 2018.

Louis Friend wrote: »

I also think Liam Toland is excellent.

You can not be serious (as John McEnroe might say!)

Alan Quinlan on Newstalk is good. Relatively recent player, comes across as someone you'd like to go for a pint with.

hawley wrote: »

Alan Quinlan on Newstalk is good. Relatively recent player, comes across as someone you'd like to go for a pint with.

He's been a slow burner with me but I like him now

There's an incredible lack of basic knowledge from most pundits. They move within the game, know people and have something of an inside track which affords them their jobs. They have knowledge of systems and the intensity levels required to play the game at that level which is beneficial. But their basic knowledge of players, teams, line ups etc. is embarrassing.

Three recent examples spring to mind from Newstalk (which I listen to most frequently):

Liam Toland spoke about how Larmour can't start against England in the second game of the 6N because he won't be battle hardened enough to stand up to such a physical onslaught. After a few minutes the presenter had to tell him that we weren't playing England until the final day. "Well....the point still stands" said Toland.

Keith Wood was asked about the Connacht back line and how they weren't able to click against Munster after being so dangerous against Leinster. His explanation was that the Leinster back line of Sexton, Henshaw and Ross Byrne at 13 isn't a trio that are known for quick linespeed and pressuring attacks. Of course the minor issue with this is that those guys started against Ulster, not Connacht. He had the games completely backwards and didn't have a clue who played against Connacht. But that didn't stop him claiming he did.

And lastly, Quinlan. He was speaking about the pecking order of the back row players for the 6N a fortnight ago and said he'd have Max Deegan after Ruddock as his next option at blindside. "Although he seems to have fallen off the radar somewhat". The presenter had to explain to him that Deegan has a knee injury (without completely embarrassing Quinlan by explaining the extent of the injury).

In summation, most pundits are crap. They do it as a side gig and don't actually put much preparation or effort into their roles outside of what they already know about the game. The longer they're out of the game, the more redundant they are. Matt Williams used be one of the most insightful and interesting pundits around. Now he's completely out of date given he hasn't coached in a decade.

ROG at times can take a lot of concentration to listen to. He's low on entertainment, but he's absolutely brilliant on the technical stuff. Murray Kinsella and Eoin Toolan on the subscriber podcast for The42 are really good too. Andy Dunne is good as he doesn't pull punches. And Liam Toland. Okay, just kidding about that last one. He's interminable to listen to.

I really miss Flannery on podcasts. ****ing Harlequins stealing one of our best pundits.