RECENTLY there have been several letters criticising the high fees paid by the BBC to Gary Lineker and Alan “hindsight” Hansen (HAS, Mar 6 and 9).

But how many commentators does it take to present a rugby match? According to the BBC, the answer is 11 – four in the studio, three around the pitch, two pitchside reporters and two commentators. This was the number at the Wales v Italy match last Saturday.

I did not watch the Scotland v Ireland game but, presumably, there would be the same number.

Coverage of the matches started at 2pm, and ended at 6.55pm, a total of four hours 55 minutes. That equates to two hours 40 minutes of actual play and two hours 15 minutes of blather. Good eh?

I do enjoy the rugby so I switch on five minutes before the match starts. Make a cup of coffee at half-time, and switch off when the game ends.

I am not interested in so-called experts telling me about what I have just seen. I’ve watched the sport long enough to make up my own mind.

If the BBC is looking to make cuts, may I suggest this lot would be a good place to start.

Cyril Humphrey, Cockfield.