The ITV RWC 2015 host

Remembering that TV companies have to hire an anchor man that has to have a broader public appeal than just specific RU fans, how would you feel if Steve Rider was reappointed as the principal host of ITV's coverage?

I honestly don't care. I'll want to watch the games not the cowpat that surround them.

The fact that the actual coverage offered by ITV is diabolical is more of an issue.

LondonTiger wrote:The fact that the actual coverage offered by ITV is diabolical is more of an issue.

Agree. Commentary was bad enough but I can put up with that. The camera work was the real problem. Constant close-ups so one had no idea what part of the pitch the ball was in or whether an overlap is possible etc.

To be fair ESPN were poor for their first couple of games but the directors soon got used to the game and thereafter were pretty good. It is a pity RWC goes to a company with no regular rugby.

Yup, I can live with bad commentary but a technical team, inexperienced to the game make a lot of mistakes from camera positioning to which shots to use and when to show replays. With so many matches in soccer stadiums we will probably see the cameras in the default footie places - not necessarily appropriate.

I have written to ITV's Director of Sport, Niall Sloane expressing my concern about having Rider again.

I want the key anchor man/woman to be someone with at least a rudimentary knowledge of rugby.

Remember the way he steered the Wales v France programme and he how
led the the half time pundits interviews after the Warburton sending-off?

As long as on ITV Wales we get the same woman as last time (Francis something) I will be very happy.

This issue wont affect anyone outside of Great Britain will it?

Whos this Steve Rider guy anyway?

Isn't the ESPN production team the same as the one that does the highlights on ITV? I can imagine the BT production (same as ESPN) would be used for the next World Cup.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Whos this Steve Rider guy anyway?

He's a generic anchorman/presenter. Competent enough, but he's not really a 'rugby man'. He's tended to do football and F1.

I've not got a problem with him but more that every time I hear a sporting event I want to see is on ITV, I shudder.

Never heard of him, anyway we dont get ITV down here.

If people want a 'rugby man' presenter then John Inverdale needs to be tempted across from the Beeb.

I'm sure no-one will complain...

Whos john Inverdale?

Cyril wrote:If people want a 'rugby man' presenter then John Inverdale needs to be tempted across from the Beeb.

I'm sure no-one will complain...

Although is that is the best around, we are all doomed

I'd quite like Rachel Burden from Radio Five.
She's competent and is a rugby enthusiast even if she is an Irish supporter.

BBC blog wrote:Rachel is an excellent choice, feisty enough to hold her own with Nicky and with added bonus of someone who likes and knows something about Rugby to balance the football groupies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/5live/2011/02/rachel-burden-is-new-presenter.shtml

Portnoy's Complaint wrote:I'd quite like Rachel Burden from Radio Five.
She's competent and is a rugby enthusiast even if she is an Irish supporter.

BBC blog wrote:Rachel is an excellent choice, feisty enough to hold her own with Nicky and with added bonus of someone who likes and knows something about Rugby to balance the football groupies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/5live/2011/02/rachel-burden-is-new-presenter.shtml

Yes, she ran a recent rugby phone it and was very good

Get the dream team in Inverdale, Guscott and Jiffy.  

Will (the possibly retired) Phil Vickery be providing pundit commentary work again?

john invervale can get away with telling certain rugby players they never be a looker not female tennis players . how much foot in mouth was that  

Cyril wrote:Will (the possibly retired) Phil Vickery be providing pundit commentary work again?

Retired? I don't believe that.

It's only a rumour still...let's not make a BOD issue out of this one, guys. He didn't confirm anything yet.

What has Brian O'Driscoll been dropped from ITV as well? hes having a hell of a week,

Yep, Gatland replacing him as BOD has decided he'll still be playing now in 2015.

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:john invervale  can get away with telling certain  rugby players they never be a looker not female tennis players . how much foot in mouth was that  

Is that what Henson said to Fearns?

Has to be Sir Clive, the guy is a genius legend. With all English team no token celt who needs subtitles.
Lewis Moody,Dayglo and Wilkinson would be a good team to have seems as they have won a world cup.
Nothing worse than the Celtic presenters in a World cup! they have never won one between them! so how could they give expert analysis about something they know nothing about?

Correct and spiffingly right.

Dayglo on his exercise bike in the studio would be a lovely sight.  He could stop when he has to come on and say something.
Wilko could kick a few well struck opinions Moody's way.  Moody could shoot back with a physical assault.

And Clive...well, he could tut, tut all opinions except his own and threaten to take the World Cup presentation off ITV in the future if they don't show more respect.

Commentary was bad by ITV but I thought they were pretty good at getting the highlights and replays up on their website quickly.

As long as Stuart Barnes doesn't sign up for ITV and becomes the commentator, I will be chuffed.

Scrumpy wrote:Get the dream team in Inverdale, Guscott and Jiffy.  

That's the best 2 commentators you will get.

Some people just do not understand TV meeja roles do they?

you cannot blame ITV for the close up's at the last world cup! That was the NZ film crews that did that! ITV just get the pictures off them!

I'm sure you'll find that ITV do a far better job of filming the event in 15.

As for the commentary and pundits....................

Why not just mix things up by bringing in some well known faces?

Daniel Craig, Prince Harry, Deborah Meaden for the England matches.

Craig Revel Horwood for the England vs Australia match with Michael Lynagh.

Sean Connery can commentate on Scotland.

Mickey Rourke (he can do USA matches too) and Tom Jones for Wales.

Gavin Henson too as he probably won't have a club by then. 

Rory McilRoy for Ireland with Paul Wallace.

Matt Damon for the South African games with Francois Pienaar.

Gerard Depardieu for French matches with Thomas Castaignede.

Would be far more entertaining.

Could the Welsh shift Tom Jones over to the Americans? We could have the dream team of Gavin and Charlotte commentating on us instead then.

Scarletspiderman that would be great! Obviously getting all these names would take quite a bit of effort but it would be excellent to see.

I am sure they would be far more entertaining than the normal lineup.