Thanks and farewell to a treasured rugby icon

And so Ian Robertson is retiring from his BBC jobs as rugby union commentator and reporter. Declaring my twofold interest immediately – ‘Robbo’ is both my fellow countryman and has been a ‘secret crush’ of mine ever since his international playing days – I’ve always considered him one of rugby’s (and indeed BBC Sport’s) finest assets.

Go on, admit it – there’s something about the Scottish burr – as deployed by the late Bill McLaren and Robbo – that perfectly complements the folklore, principles and camararderie of the rugby fraternity.

It’s a strange mix of ‘legalised physical contact that in any other circumstances might draw an arrest for (either A or G) BH’ and the finer attributes of team spirit and leadership that (in the eyes of rugby stalwarts at least) conjures an endearing and positive image of its adherents being robust citizens simultaneously keen upon slightly naughty but cheeky “We’re having a laugh” revelry whilst never quite diverging from the ideals of behaviour that you’d expect from an upright British gentlemen (and now, of course, women).

Here are two tributes that I spotted today:

From Robert Kitson, as appears upon the website of – THE GUARDIAN

From Jonathan McEvoy, as appears upon the website of the – DAILY MAIL

Goodbye, my dear Robbo – may you enjoy a long and joyful retirement. You’ve earned it many times over …