Former commentator Bill McLaren, known as "the voice of rugby," has died at the age of 86, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

McLaren retired in 2002 after a radio and television career spanning nearly 50 years in which his distinctive Scottish voice became synonymous with the sport he loved.

He was one of a number of long-serving BBC sport commentators including cricket's John Arlott, horse racing's Peter O'Sullevan, golf's Peter Alliss and tennis's Dan Maskell.