The Six Nations will kick off in Cardiff this weekend but in our hearts it is already under way. As we gathered in Abergavenny to celebrate the full-to-overflowing life of Eddie Butler the only missing ingredient was a game to help soothe our swirling emotions as we sang Cwm Rhondda and remembered a “modern renaissance man” as Clare Balding perfectly described him.
At least the spirit of Eddie lives on. Because each and every time we hear the anthems or see an aerial stadium shot in the coming weeks, we will hear that voice and be reminded of the sport-as-art montages in which he specialised. If this year’s Six Nations soundtrack will sound slightly different, the bard of Monmouthshire’s back catalogue will stand the test of time.
