Bill’s turns of phrase

Sir, There must be many rugby enthusiasts who used to note down the irresistible comments of Bill McLaren (obituary, Jan 20). Some of my favourites: “Richard Cockerill, whose whole being exudes warlike intent”; “It’s great to see prop forwards on the run — they ride a bit low in the water, most of them”; “I wouldn’t fancy having the food bill for that lot \”; “And he \ snarls a bit as well”.

Elizabeth Burchfield
Sutton Courtenay, Oxon

Sir, When I was a member of a rugby team in the Scottish Borders in the late 1950s Bill McLaren came to talk to us. He was asked what we, as players, should do the night before a game. His reply was to our girlfriends: “Take them for a good walk round the golf course — nae hanky-panky, mind.” A lovely man.