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ITV has announced its pundit and presenter line-up for the Six Nations, with some of last year’s faces missing
ITV has announced its presenter and pundit line-up for this year’s Six Nations, with former England coach Eddie Jones dropped from last year’s coverage as Ronan O’Gara is drafted in.
Mark Pougatch and Jill Douglas will once again lead ITV’s coverage of the tournament, with the broadcaster showing 10 of the 15 matches.
Former Wales internationals Dan Biggar and Jamie Roberts are among the big name experts in the studio, while Shane Williams will be on co-commentary duty.
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Japan coach Jones was the star addition to last year’s line-up but he is not part of plans this year after proving to be a disappointment for many viewers. Scotland’s Johnnie Beattie and Jim Hamilton are also absent, with the latter set to be part of Premier Sports’ new coverage of the tournament.
The addition of O’Gara is an astute move and he is set to renew his popular partnership with Biggar, which proved a hit on Sky Sports during last summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.
ITV will broadcast the first match of the tournament between reigning champions France and Ireland on Thursday 5th February at the Stade De France, as well as every game involving England. Just two of Wales’ matches, away to England and Ireland, will be shown on ITV, with the three home matches televised on the BBC.
The full ITV pundit line-up is Jonny Wilkinson, Brian O’Driscoll, Biggar, O’Gara, Roberts, John Barclay, Rory Best, Sergio Parisse, Benjamin Kayser, Ugo Monye, Maggie Alphonsi and Greig Laidlaw.
Joining them in the commentary box will be Nick Mullins and Miles Harrison, with co-commentators David Flatman, Ben Kay, Wales legend Williams, Scott Hastings, Gordon D’Arcy and Nolli Waterman.
Reporters will be Topsy Ojo and Gabriel Clarke.
ITV’s matches will air across ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player and UTV. Each match will be simulcast live on ITVX along with short highlights of every match from the tournament.
This year’s tournament sees the continuation of ITV and the BBC’s deal to share coverage of the Six Nations tournament on television and online, with ITV broadcasting all England matches.
On Monday, ITV announced it has also won the rights to broadcast every match of the new Nations Championship, which starts later this year and will replace the usual summer tours and autumn internationals.
ITV SIX NATIONS SCHEDULE
Thursday 5th February – France v Ireland
Saturday 7th February – England v Wales
Saturday 14th February – Ireland v Italy
Saturday 14th February – Scotland v England
Saturday 21st February – England v Ireland
Sunday 22nd February – France v Italy
Friday 6th March – Ireland v Wales
Saturday 7th March – Italy v England
Saturday 14th March – Ireland v Scotland
Saturday 14th March – France v England
