Ian Robertson (rugby union, born 1945)

Scotland international rugby union player & broadcaster

Rugby player

Ian Robertson

Birth name| Ian Robertson

|

Date of birth|  (1945-01-17) 17 January 1945 (age 79)
Place of birth| London, England
Occupation(s)| Teacher
Sports broadcaster
Rugby union career
| Position(s)|  Fly-half

|

Amateur team(s)
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Points)
|  Cambridge University|  |  ()
–|  Watsonians|  |  ()
–|  London Scottish|  |  ()
–|  Aberdeenshire|  |  ()
–|  Barbarians|  |  ()
International career
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Points)
1968-1970|  Scotland|  8|  (9)

Ian Robertson (born 17 January 1945)[1] is a Scottish broadcaster, writer and former international rugby player. He is best known as a rugby union commentator for BBC Radio.

## Early life[edit]

Robertson was educated at George Watson's College in Edinburgh, Aberdeen University and Christ's College, Cambridge.[2] He worked for four years as an English teacher at Fettes College, where his most famous pupil was Tony Blair.[3]

## Rugby career[edit]

Robertson played rugby union for Cambridge University, Watsonians,[4] London Scottish, Aberdeenshire, Scotland (1968–70) and the Barbarians.[5] The most memorable moment of his playing career was Scotland's 1970 Calcutta Cup victory over England. At 25 he suffered a serious knee injury that ended his sporting career.[3]

## Journalism[edit]

Robertson joined the BBC in 1972.[6] and since April 1983 he was the Corporation's official rugby union correspondent,[6] covering the sport not only on radio but also on television. He regards Scotland's 1984 and 1990 Grand Slams and Jonny Wilkinson's winning drop-kick in the final of the 2003 World Cup as his "best on-air moments".[3] Robertson was also a presenter of the English Premiership video review of 1998-99. In February 2018 he announced that he would be retiring at the end of the year and covered his last game, England v Australia, on 24 November 2018.[7]

Robertson is a prolific writer; he has written over 30 books and a number of biographies,[6] including those of Bill Beaumont,[8] Andy Irvine,[8] and actor Richard Burton.[3] His memoir Rugby: Talking a Good Game was published in November 2018 by Hodder & Stoughton.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Ian Robertson rugby profile ESPN Scrum.com
2. ^ Ian Robertson biography BBC Press Office
3. ^ a b c d BBC's Ian Robertson will not be silenced The Telegraph, 6 September 2007
4. ^ Six Nations Preview: 5 live Sport BBC Radio 5 Live, 1 February 2012
5. ^ Lunchtime stories with BBC commentator Ian Robertson The Roar, 16 June 2010
6. ^ a b c Alumni - Ian Robertson Christ's College, University of Cambridge
7. ^ Ian Robertson's final Six Nations commentary, BBC Five Live, 17 March 2018
8. ^ a b Ian Robertson - BBC Rugby Correspondent Gordon Poole Agency

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Netherlands

Other|

* IdRef