Ian Robertson (rugby commentator)

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]

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]

Robertson joined the BBC in 1972.[6] and since April 1983 he has been 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 will 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.