Beeb boobs on first Six Nations weekend

There were a couple of teams who played a blinder in the opening round of matches in this year's Six Nations Championship, but the BBC was not among them. Very little went right for the corporation's sport department in its coverage from Dublin, London and Edinburgh.

The worst was from Twickenham where the director's injudicious choice of camera angle led to a bewildering selection of pictures which often gave the viewer no real feel for where we were on the field.

He went tight in the shot when it cried out for a wide view of what was going on and the unfolding possibilities that lay ahead, and wide when he should have been closer to the action. It was often very disorientating.

It is all very well the BBC trumpeting its multi-million pound commitment and long-lasting relationship with the tournament. But the lack of any other rugby on the channel other than the much-maligned EDF Energy Trophy, clearly showed. It's one thing covering a football match, quite another a rugby international with all its subtle nuances.

The performance of Eddie Butler, the commentator, would have had Bill McLaren curling his toes with embarrassment at his beloved Hawick home. Bill would spend the entire week before a big game going through the same meticulous routine to prepare, turning over playing cards, each one depicting a player until he had them off pat. His charts, full of player statistics and facts, were works of art. I know I am very grateful to have one - or at least a copy. Bill never left anything to chance and never made a mistake.

Butler's commentary in the first ten minutes or so of the second half and his inability to identity players correctly was woeful. Is that Ben Kay on? Is he on for Steve Borthwick? No he's still on. Who is it then? Or something along those lines and this after Kay's introduction at half-time had been well flagged by John Inverdale. He also had trouble getting the score right at the end of the match. Not good for someone of his stature.

Murrayfield was not much better - not in terms of Andrew Cotter's prowess behind the microphone but the fact that the viewer was bombarded with three Scottish voices. Sitting alongside Cotter was Andy Nichol, the former Scotland captain, and on the touchline was Jill Douglas. There was little objectivity. Where was the balance? It was all too parochial and cosy. Broadcasts generally at each venue were not helped by the disjointed coverage with commentators, experts, touchline reporters, and analysts in a TV truck all having to have their say. The constant interruptions added little and were annoying. It was all too clever by half.

Like England we can only hope the Beeb steps up its performance this week and for the remainder of the championship.

Comments

[David Moorcraft]

Speaking as a Welshman - I don't know anyone this side of the border who has any time for Eddie Butler- far too self satisfied and self-important !

[Richard]

I certainly agree with most of the criticisms of the camera work.

My particular pet hate, which does not only apply to rugby coverage, is the repeated number of shots of the team coaches. I lost count of the number of times we saw a shot of Frank Hadden in the first half of Wales v Scotland and what is more, he remains expressionless anyway.

Surely with all the cameras present plus commentators and analysts, when there is a stoppage in the game, let us see more replays and analysis. Failing that, I would just like to see the reactions of the players on the pitch, rather than the reactions of those members of the coaching staff.

[Steve Spear]

Very much agree about the rubbish camera work and directing, I actually found it hard to follow the game at times due to the confusing cutting between shots, totally useless and confusing overhead camera work and just camera-persons looking the wrong way at very important times. Watching the replays for the TMO showed just how bad it all was and should have been deeply embarassing for all concerned, that's if they could be bothered to watch!

[jgray]

I enjoy the Butler/Moore combo immensely; a good cabaret act on the side! The commentator that used to make me cringe is Nick Mullins, who tended to indulge in whitter and inaccuracies in equal measure and failed to talk about the action at the expense of exhaustive details of players' off-field activities. He's got much better, though, so perhaps somebody has had a word. Or is that another English blip.

[John Richards]

Agree that too many cooks with the Beeb - Austin Healey's comments often overlaps the live action.
Get rid of that Sonja woman - grating voice, stupid questions - I'm not anti women, as Jill Douglas is fine.
Eddie Butler follows in the great tradition of John Taylor, who used to do the World cups. He didn't know who the players were, either. How much does Butler get a year to not do his job?

[Griff]

And just like England things didn't get better on the 2nd weekend. The camera work and direction is woeful,the commentary is only saved by being able to select a radio station on interactive and the analysts/pitchside reports are poorly used and badly linked.

[matt]

I think Eddie Butler and Brian Moore are very good and compliment each other well. Their occasional on-air `lovers tiffs` brighten up the dullest of games. Loved Brian Moores comment in the 2nd half of Eng-v-Italy when he said `i`d love to know what Englands half-time team talk is...." Go out and play rubbish......" ..which they most certainly did!

[Sue]

Eddie Butler as a rugby journalist and commentator should get a grip and know exactly who is who. There is only one thing worse, that ridiculous Sonia, the blonde brainless bimbo, who asks the most cringeworthy questions to all sides. Please dump all these incompetent fools.
At least Gill Douglas is married to a professional rugby player. Sonia is an insult to any female with the slightest interest in rugby.

[albert.]

BBC sports coverage in general is now third rate set against the coverage you get from Sky Sports.

[Richard Tarr]

Bill Mclaren certainly new his players and his voice in commentary certainly set the mood and atmosphere for an International BUT, let's not allow sentiment to get in the way of reality. Bill Mclaren for all his virtues rarely got it right when calling scrum and lineout infringements.

[james stewart]

I totally agree about Eddie Butler - he offers nothing to the commentary and could take a page out of Stuart Barnes's book - I don't always agree with Barnsey but at least he gives an even sided commentary - I find the constant arguing with the two BBC commentators very annoying and it doesn't help when he gets all his facts wrong

[Adrian Richards]

Would I be right in saying after-match reporting of the England/Wales result on the news was pretty well "buried". It barely got a mention on BBC News or News 24. Tut tut.

[Mike Jayes]

Oustanding analysis yet again by the classic Mr Austin Healy. His perception of the game almost makes up for the poor commentary.

[olivebranch]

Have come online just having switched the TV off in the middle of the Scotland-Wales rugby match due to a Welsh commentator (think he used to play rugby?)irritating to watch as he replayed almost everything!and was verbally repetitive to boot!

[Steffy]

The BBC also show the Challenge Cup - that's also rugby (although the Times doesn't seem to think so)

[dr seoul]

Barnsie's comment on objectivity is magic,considering his own previous 6N role....however he got it right.

[nobby]

Scotland? Parochial? They invented it, mate!

[Tom Maidment]

Couldn't agree more. Eddie Butler is long past his sell-by date - though frankly he should never have had one in the first place. His commentary is poor at best and his mistake count is an embarrassment. Brian Moore is, let's be honest, a miserable bugger but he does at least have an excellent understanding of the game.

As for Andy Nicol - oh, don't start me. A decent scrum-half he undoubtedly was, but he has no place in the commentary box. Andrew Cotter is an excellent commentator, when he's allowed the commentate. The trouble is that Nicol doesn't seem to understand the distinction between commentary and analysis. He spoke far too much - more often than not simply stating the bleedin' obvious - and didn't let Cotter get on with his job. If the BBC insist on using Nicol (which I pray they don't), then would someone, please, tell him what he's there for.

[Tony Gold]

The combination of Eddie Butler and Brian Moore does not produce a professional standard of commentary. Even the English squirm in their armchairs at Moore's tirades. Non-England viewers change colour. The two commentators together are like a couple of old dears. I wouldn't go as far as to bring back Starmer, but there are others who can commentate on a match objectively.

[Macsen]

Agree with most that has been pointed out but would add that John Inverdale is an ignorant little man who does his utmost to fuel anti english/celtic feelings. His bias towards england and disrespectful comments made at the expense of his guests leave me wondering why he hasn't been chinned by one of them yet. Hopefully, it is only a matter of time.

[Jack]

The BBC need to be reminded that scrums and lineouts are an important part of the game, and are more important to watch that Austin Healy sitting in a truck. Wrong camera angles and that stupid overhead shot really affected my enjoyment of the game - I kept finding myself shouting at the TV to pan back so I could see what was going on. And touchline worms-eye views are terrible, which is why the first row of seats isn't in a trench.

[Mat Toor]

My mistake! Saw Barnes' chubby mug next to the column and assumed he'd written it. An ironic case of mis-identification...

My comments on Butler and Moore still stand though.

[Mat Toor]

Shouldn't Stuart Barnes declare an interest here and point out he is a match commentator for Sky TV? Also I think most rugby fans I know thing Butler and Brian Moore are a fabulous double act: articulate, knowledgeable about the game and genuinely funny.

[where's Josh?]

that zip wire was a permanent disrtaction throughout the game visible from other cameras. The shots from it were useless. You can borrow my wire cutters whenever you want.

As regards the commentator- he couldnt recognise half of england players from a distance. some even wore distinctive headgear to help, but he was still baffled. the lock/ back row changes left him spinning!

[Big Cat]

Agree fully about the camera work in the England game. A particular nuisance was the overhead cam on a zipwire which the director was obviously keen to show off. However, it was heavily over used and gave a very unclear picture of the live play, far too distant.

[Matt]

Nearly right - in that you are too kind to Eddie Butler who continues to ruin every game of rugby I watch with his commentary. My girlfriend, who likes but is not an fervent follower of the game, was on her feet telling the screen that he was an idiot as even she could tell who is was who had the ball, was injured etc.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can the BBC do something for the common man and employ someone who can actually do the job. If needs be my girlfriend is available - can't be worse than Butler.

[al turner]

i could not agree more about the camera work in the england v wales match.it was absolutely bewildering.please get a different director for future matches.
as to eddie butler,he does make identification mistakes,but in my view
he is the best commentator of rugby union.
for me bill mclaren ruined the games he covered.
what suits one person......