Brian Moore to step down from BBC's Six Nations commentary

Legendary rugby co-commentator Brian Moore is set to step down from his Six Nations role with the BBC, the pundit has confirmed on Twitter.

The former England hooker - who has been a staple of the BBC's coverage of the tournament for the last two decades paid tribute to close friend and colleague Eddie Butler.

This weekend's Six Nations clash between England and Scotland in Murrayfield will be his curtain call.

"My England career began with a Calcutta Cup, and my BBC co-comms career on the Men's 6 Nations will end on Saturday with another," wrote the 60-year-old firebrand, who's become one of the platform's most-followed rugby union accounts.

"Thank you to all at BBC Sport, especially my mate, Eddie Butler. It's been a privilege to work on some unforgettable sporting occasions."

Although not without his critics, his straight-talking punditry on games has been a mainstay of the Six Nations and his departure from the role marks a changing of guard for the national broadcaster.

He will now be switching his attention to the women's game.

"I'm pleased to say I will be working on the Women's 6 Nations coverage. My commitment to women's rugby goes back as far as 1991, helping the England forwards.

"Women's rugby is the key to sustaining all rugby long term, and I'm proud to still be involved."

A British and Irish Lion of two tours, Moore won 64 caps for England between 1987 and 1995.

The news comes to the backdrop over a major overhaul of the BBC's rugby union coverage, with Jeremy Guscott also stepping back from his role to concentrate on matters outside of rugby. Retired Wales loose forward Sam Warburton and England great Martin Johnson are set to be the broadcasters' go-to pundits over the course of the tournament.