What's a spotter?

Spots any fallen horses that the commentator fails to pick up for any reason

It's as simple as that then! I thought it was something along the lines of a specified person along the course who would notice any problems with the horse or jockey.

Couldn't agree more. I'd always prefer to watch live action rather than build up. It's especially irritating as the Connacht match was a good, open game and I don't have a red button on my telly

All the games have been crackers today.

I think the Connacht game was a French production, judging by the style of choice in replays and the score graphic was 'flat'.

Well done on your 500th post as well.

Cheers

It's been some weekend of rugby with (hopefully) more of the same tomorrow.

Presenters - Matt Smith with John Emburey & Graeme Hick

Commentators -

Chargers v Super Kings - Pommie Mbangwa, Danny Morrison, Micheal Kasprowicz, Harsha Bhogle & Laxman Sivaramakrisknan

Royal Challengers v Knight Riders - Mike Haysman, Robin Jackman, Andy Bichel, Sunil Gavaskar & Simom Doull

Good question Darren, would be good to know the answer to that. Maybe someone like Malcolm Tomlinson who has worked for 5live in the past.

Who were the commentators on 5 Live as a matter of interest ? Anybody know ? John Hunt plus 2 others i would say.

Radio Cymru had Alun Jenkins and Hywel Davies (1985 Winner)

Thanks Ian. So 4 on radio then. Understandable.

European Rugby Sky Sports 2

Simon Lazenby presenting alongside Michael Lynagh & Ieuan Evans.

Wasps v. Gloucester- Will Chignell & Tyrone Howe
Tolouse v. Stade Francais- Mark Robson & Dewi Morris. Graham Simmonds reporting.

And from last night
Toloun v. Scarlets- Johnny Hammond & Scott Hastings.

There goes my Malcolm Tomlinson theory!

Perhaps it was Tony O'Hehir, I know he was dropped from commentary this year, but I suppose there's nothing to say he wasn't used as a spotter

Presenters - Matt Smith, with Ronnie Irani & Mark Butcher

Commentators -

Daredevils v Kings XI - Messrs Bhogle, Morrison, Mbangwa, Kasprowicz & Sivaramakrishnan

Royals v Indians - Messrs Shastri, Arnold, Cork, Bishop & Coney

Sam Torrance's commentary is really beginning to grate now. He's constantly fawned over Lee Westwood and given Phil Mickleson hardly any credit for his performance. While it would be nice to see a Brit win his constant bias towards any European has taken away from the generally good coverage.

Chargers v Royal Challengers

Presenters - Mark Pougatch with Saqlain Mushtaq & Simon Hughes

Commentators - Messrs Haysman, Gavaskar, Jackman, Bichel & Doull

Could be Marks last IPL game as Matt Smith &/or Mandera Bedi are being used for the rest of the week

Presenters - Matt Smith with James Foster & Gladstone Small

Commentators -

Indians v Daredevils - Messrs - Haysman, Gavaskar, Jackman, Bichel & Doull

Super Kings v Knight Riders - Messrs Sivaramakrishnan, Kasprowicz, Morrison, Mbangwa & Bhogle

Martin Gillingham and Eammon Martin did the Paris Marathon for British Eurosport, including a heated debate about the use of whether or not an athlete should use the liquids supplied by an event sponsor or bring your own supplies.

IPL

Presenters: Jim Rosenthal (Days 27 + 29), Mark Pougatch (Days 28 + 32), Matt Smith (Days 30, 31 + 33)

Mandira Bedi is due to return on Friday

Pundits:
Day 27: Dimitri Mascarenhas and Min Patel
Day 28: John Emburey and Saqlain Mushtaq
Day 29: John Emburey and Graeme Hick
Day 30: John Emburey and Graeme Hick
Day 31: Mark Butcher and Ronnie Irani
Day 32: Saqlain Mushtaq and Simon Hughes
Day 33: James Foster and Gladstone Small

Min Patel arrived late on Day 27, entering the studio just before the start of the first game. Saqlain Mushtaq is unfortunately a horrendous pundit. He seems to struggle with his English which is odd as he has lived in England for quite some time and doesn't really seem to add anything other than repeat what the presenter or the other pundit says. He also has a bad habit of adding 'you know' at the end of everything he says.

Royals v Royal Challengers

Presenters - Matt Smith with Ronnie Irani & Ian Harvey

Commentators - Messrs Shastri, Bishop, Arnold, Coney & Cork

Yet another new pundit today - how many is it that ITV have used so far? I would suggest that Alec Stewart & John Emburey have been the best used to date, also Ronnie Irani has been better than may have been expected based on his Talk Sport presentation

Ian Harvey is a regular pundit on Sky so not too much of a surprise. Personally I would go with Vikram Solanki and Simon Hughes as the best with Mark Butcher not far behind. Emburey has got better recently but is still sometimes too monotonous.

Super Kings v Daredevils

Presenters - Matt Smith with Ian Harvey & Simon Hughes

Commentators - Messrs Haysman, Gavaskar, Jackman, Bichel & Doull

Mandira Bedi was due to return today but the volcano ash means that she is stuck in India so Simon Hughes will present today

Magners League, BBC Two Wales/BBCi

Leinster v Ospreys

Presentation: Gareth Lewis presenting from the Llandaff studio alongside Mike Hall and Stuart Davies

Commentators: Gareth Charles and Paul Wallace

Red button commentary: Rick O'Shea doing Fanscene commentary alongside (honoury) Leinster fan Paul and Ospreys fan Simon

Highlights commentary on Ulster v Ospreys (Tuesday): Nick Webb

Roving reporter: Phil Steele


Charlo, Paul Wallace and Phil Steele are working on site, despite the grounding of all UK flights. Apparently a four man Scrum V Live crew crossed the Irish Sea by boat.

The word commitment springs to mind!!