LONG-SERVING rugby commentator Brian Moore has announced his upcoming retirement.
Former England hooker Moore, 64, will call his country’s clash with France this Sunday in a huge Women’s decider.
Brian Moore is retiring after nearly three decades in the commentary booth
Moore earned 64 England caps and played on two Lions tours Credit: PA:Press Association
But the final whistle will mark the start of a new chapter after nearly three decades in the booth.
He wrote in The Telegraph : “I have decided it will be my last broadcast.
“Nothing replaces the thrill of playing but commentating meant that I was lucky enough to witness and comment on the extraordinary careers of many of the world’s best players.
“Added to this I have had the honour of being a small part of culturally enriching moments of Six Nations tournaments, especially Grand Slams.”
Moore, who spent most of his club career at Nottingham, earned 64 caps and went on two tours.
In retirement he trained as a solicitor, and to bolster his co-commentator credentials – as a notoriously harsh critic of match officials – he also became a qualified rugby referee.
Moore now admits that, having experienced being the man in the middle first-hand, he may have been a smidge too harsh.
He added: “Looking back, I think that for the middle part of my co-commentary career I took too personal a line on criticising officials.
Moore qualified as a rugby referee to see things from their point of view Credit: Getty Images – Getty
“It is right to give a contrary opinion on decisions, but ad hominem comments have consequences for officials, without which, rugby has no game.
“One of the reasons I qualified as a referee was to understand the limits of what they could, and could not, see during a game.
“This brought home the difficulty of a hugely complex game, which is substantially more difficult when it is played at the lightning pace of elite rugby and by players who will push every advantage they can and at every opportunity.”
Moore, who is keeping whatever new ventures lie ahead under wraps, is signing off in typically divisive fashion.
He said: “It has been an honour and a pleasure to be allowed into many nations’ front rooms, clubhouses and bars over many years.
“Thank you for the memories and if you didn’t like me, well, you can’t please everybody.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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