RTÉ and Virgin Media Television announce Six Nations coverage

The Six Nations kicks off on Friday 2 February with every game live and free-to-air across RTÉ and Virgin Media Television

Coverage includes Ireland Men’s, Women’s and U-20s campaigns

RTÉ and Virgin Media Television have today (Monday 15 January) released details of its joint Six Nations coverage, with all 15 Men’s Six Nations games live and free-to-air across the two broadcasters, ensuring sports fans get to enjoy every second of the action.

Current holders and Grand Slam winners Ireland will kick start the tournament with a trip to France on Friday 2 February, with the match set to take place in Marseille. The game will be live on Virgin Media Television with RTÉ’s coverage beginning the following day with Wales v Scotland live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Ireland v Wales on Saturday 24 February and England v Ireland on Saturday 9 March will be live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. RTÉ’s televised live games will see presenter Jacqui Hurley joined by an array of panellists and analysts including Jamie Heaslip, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Ferris, Fiona Coghlan, Donal Lenihan, Hannah Tyrrell and Jerry Flannery.

Virgin Media Television will also show Ireland’s home tie with Italy on Sunday 11th February, as well as their final assignment at home to Scotland on Saturday 16th March. Joe Molloy will front the coverage, with Rob Kearney, Matt Williams, Shane Horgan, Andrew Trimble, Ian Madigan, Fiona Hayes, Grace Davitt and Eimear Considine among the panellists. Dave McIntyre and Alan Quinlan will be on commentary, with Tommy Martin reporting from Ireland matches.

All of Ireland’s Men’s Six Nations matches will be live in full on RTÉ Radio One.

RTÉ’s comprehensive Six Nations Rugby coverage of all matches across the three tournaments includes exclusive free-to-air matches on RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio and RTÉ Player, while RTÉ.ie/Sport will have minute-by-minute match coverage alongside news, analysis and interviews.

Against The Head returns with the latest news and discussions on Monday nights on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player while RTÉ Sport will bring fans closer to all things Six Nations on The RTÉ Rugby Podcast. RTÉ News will have the latest coverage around the Six Nations, including updates on the RTÉ News app.

Declan McBennett, Group Head of Sport, RTÉ said: “The Six Nations remains a blue chip sporting event which unites a nation behind the team. We know from previous years and from the Rugby World Cup that the games attract huge audiences across all age ranges. Given Ireland’s success and their ability to consistently raise the standard year on year we are delighted to work in conjunction with Virgin Media to ensure the games are free-to-air and reach the widest possible audience.”

Commenting on the coverage announcement, Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport, Virgin Media Television said; “This is set to be a really intriguing Six Nations championship after the results at the recent Rugby World Cup. The massive viewing figures in France proved that the viewing public are really behind this Irish team as they look to evolve following the retirement of Johnny Sexton.  We are delighted to be broadcasting what could be an early championship decider when Ireland take on France in Marseille on weekend one and everyone will be hoping that our Grand Slam dream will still be alive when Ireland play Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on the final day of the tournament. We are happy to continue bringing every game to sports fans free to air along with RTÉ.”