ITV Rugby - Six Nations

ITV Rugby Union Highlights
Saturday 4.20pm

Nov 18th Eng v Aus
Nov 25th Engl v Arg
Dec 2nd Eng v SA

1999 World Cup:
The ITV Commentary Team - Presenters

JIM ROSENTHAL
Jim Rosenthal is one of ITV's most versatile sports presenters and becomes the main anchorman for the Rugby World Cup for the first time.

In the previous two World Cups, Jim worked as ITV's England team reporter. In 1991 he provided ground-breaking reports from England's dressing room at the World Cup Final. In 1995 he followed the national side from their Durban base to Johannesburg and Cape Town, and was in South Africa to witness Rob Andrew's quarter-final winning drop kick against Australia - a kick he describes as "one of the greatest sporting moments of the century".

Since joining ITV in 1980, he has worked extensively on the Channel's coverage of football, boxing, athletics, rugby and, more recently hosting Formula 1 motor racing.

Starting as a journalist with the Oxford Mail and BBC local and network radio, Jim first became nationally recognised as the voice of BBC Radio's Sport on Two and Sports Report.

Since joining ITV, he has presented from major sports events around the world, including the Montreal, Moscow and Seoul Olympics, football World Cups in Mexico and Italy, the Rugby World Cup in South Africa, European athletics and boxing from Las Vegas to Shepton Mallet.

Jim now combines his Formula 1 Grand Prix role with his presentation of UEFA Champions' League highlights. Last year he presented a 13-week series of World Cup '98 preview programmes and was in Paris to present action from the Finals.

Jim says: "People in England are desperate for a bit of success as a sporting nation - it does not matter what the sport or event is - and our rugby team in the last two World Cups have given it a real good go.

"Although the tournament is hosted by Wales, England will be playing all their group matches at Twickenham, and will obviously be familiar with the conditions. They have a real chance of making an impact, but if you look at recent results across the globe, New Zealand and Australia will enter the competition as favourites.

"Wales, Scotland and Ireland should not be ruled out by any means, but whoever wins, I am absolutely certain that the public will be treated to a great sporting event. They are in for a terrific month of rugby on ITV."