Last updated June 2008
Category: 5 Live; Sport
Printable version
BBC Radio 5 Live's award-winning rugby union correspondent Ian Robertson began his broadcasting career at the BBC in 1972. He covers both internationals and club matches.
Ian was educated at George Watson College in Edinburgh, Aberdeen University and Cambridge. He taught for four years at Fettes Colleges in Edinburgh before joining the BBC in London.
Ian had a distinguished rugby career, playing for Cambridge University, Watsonians RFC, London Scottish and the Barbarians. He also won eight international caps for Scotland between 1968 and 1970 and was vice-captain of the team.
His rugby playing career ended at the age of 27, due to a bad knee injury which occurred a few years earlier.
One of the most memorable moments of his playing career was Scotland's 1970 Calcutta Cup victory over England.
On his retirement from the pitch Ian joined the BBC as a rugby commentator in 1972 and has covered almost all major matches all over the world in his time behind the microphone.
He briefly left broadcasting to work as rugby correspondent for the Sunday Times for three years between 1980 and 1983, but then returned to become BBC rugby correspondent in 1983.
Ian regards Scotland's 1984 and 1990 Grand Slams and Jonny Wilkinson's winning drop-goal in the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup as his best on-air moments.
It was his adrenalin-fuelled commentary on the 2003 Rugby World Cup that won him a Sony Gold Award as Speech Broadcaster of the Year 2004.
In addition to his radio work, Ian has appeared regularly on television, presenting rugby previews and features.
Ian is also a prolific writer; he is author or co-author of more than 30 books including several bestsellers - with Gareth Edwards, Bill Beaumont and Andy Irvine - and he helped to write the official biography of the actor Richard Burton with Burton's younger brother. This book was a bestseller in over a dozen countries.
In his spare time Ian loves playing golf and spending time with his family.
