Latest news with #Men'sSixNations
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Jones & Kinghorn picked in Six Nations team of the championship
Scotland stars Huw Jones and Blair Kinghorn have been named in the Men's Six Nations team of the championship, as voted for by more than 15,000 is selected at outside-centre having scored four tries, made 52 carries and hit 65 attacking rucks throughout the is at 15 in the side after a stellar competition - he made 580m in Scotland's five games, a new tournament finished fourth in the table, with wins against Italy and Wales alongside defeats by Ireland, England and has also been nominated for player of the championship and is competing for that title with France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, England back Tommy Freeman and Italy centre Tommaso Menoncello.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BBC and ITV agree new partnership to offer fans free-to-air live Six Nations
ITV and BBC Sport have agreed a new four-year partnership for the live free-to-air rights for the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship, which will run concurrently from 2026 to 2029. ITV will broadcast ten live matches each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal and deliver free-to-air live coverage across ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, plus highlights and exclusive content on ITV Sport social accounts and YouTube. BBC Sport will bring audiences live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the Men's Six Nations including five live matches involving Scotland and Wales each year, and comprehensive live coverage of the Women's Six Nations and U20 Six Nations across BBC TV Channels and iPlayer. As well as live audio commentary across multiple platforms including radio, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website and app. Director of BBC Cymru Wales, Rhuanedd Richards said: 'Today's announcement is wonderful news for rugby fans the length and breadth of Wales. "I have always been a passionate advocate for keeping the Six Nations on free to air television and I'm so pleased that the BBC, working with ITV have ensured this can continue for the next four years to provide live coverage of the Men's games. It's also fantastic news that the BBC will continue to be the home of the Women's Six Nations, securing the broadcast rights to all games until 2029. "The viewing figures speak for themselves; hundreds of thousands tune in to watch these incredible tournaments and we look forward to bringing the very best coverage of Wales and the Six Nations to Welsh audiences. 'I'd like to thank colleagues who have worked hard to secure this deal and to the Director-General, Tim Davie who recognises the importance of the competition to our audiences.' Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport says: 'This is a monumental deal for rugby fans and ITV as we ensure the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship stays on free-to-air television. We are also proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal including England's much revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland and Wales. "The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year, so we look forward to continuing to work with Six Nations Rugby and each union and federation moving forward.' Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport says: "This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible. "We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive broadcast coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. "This is an exciting time for rugby, and we are proud to share every thrilling moment with audiences across the UK." Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: 'The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated. By strengthening rugby's relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations. "These partnerships allow us to maximise audience reach whilst generating critical revenue for the game, enabling each Union and Federation to protect and grow the sport in their country in the coming years.' 'The increased commitment from the free to air sector is testament to the appeal and status of our iconic Championships. "The commercial environment in which rugby is operating is extremely challenging and the battle for audience attention has never been greater, but the Six Nations stands alongside the very greatest occasions in world sport, which is reflected by these partnerships. "Going into another incredible conclusion to the Men's Championship, all parties are incredibly excited to build on this momentum and audience growth, to deliver the best possible experience for fans over the next four years.' ITV Sports rights portfolio includes the Women's Euros 2025, The FA Cup, Men's Euros 2028, Men's FIFA World Cup 2026, Men's FIFA World Cup 2030, Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship, ITV Horse Racing, LIV Golf and the Carabao Cup among many other sporting highlights. BBC Sport is the home of the Women's Six Nations 2025 across linear TV and iPlayer starting later this month (22 March), along with exclusive coverage of every match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in England this summer, available live on TV, iPlayer, and the red button. BBC Sport's rights portfolio also includes the Olympic Games, The FA Cup, Men's Euro 2028, Women's Euros 2025, Men's FIFA World Cup 2026, Men's FIFA World Cup 2030, Women's Super League, Wimbledon Championships, Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 and Match of The Day (Premier League and Champions League highlights).
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BBC and ITV agree new four-year partnership to offer fans free-to-air live coverage of the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship
BBC Sport and ITV have agreed a new four-year partnership for the live free-to-air rights for the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship, which will run concurrently from 2026 to 2029. Both broadcasters will bring free-to-air coverage across TV and digital platforms until 2029 ITV will broadcast all England matches for the duration of the deal BBC retains audio commentary rights for every match on radio, BBC Sounds or online ITV will broadcast ten live matches each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal and deliver free-to-air live coverage across ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, plus highlights and exclusive content on ITV Sport social accounts and YouTube. BBC Sport will bring audiences live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the Men's Six Nations including five live matches involving Scotland and Wales each year, and comprehensive live coverage of the Women's Six Nations and U20 Six Nations across BBC TV Channels and iPlayer. As well as live audio commentary across multiple platforms including radio, BBC Sounds and BBC Sport website and app. Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport says: 'This is a monumental deal for rugby fans and ITV as we ensure the Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship stays on free-to-air television. We are also proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal including England's much revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year, so we look forward to continuing to work with Six Nations Rugby and each union and federation moving forward.' Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport says: "This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible. We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive broadcast coverage of the Women's Rugby World Cup this summer. This is an exciting time for rugby, and we are proud to share every thrilling moment with audiences across the UK." Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said: 'The significance of these new and innovative free to air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated. By strengthening rugby's relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible in the UK access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations. These partnerships allow us to maximise audience reach whilst generating critical revenue for the game, enabling each Union and Federation to protect and grow the sport in their country in the coming years.' 'The increased commitment from the free to air sector is testament to the appeal and status of our iconic Championships. The commercial environment in which rugby is operating is extremely challenging and the battle for audience attention has never been greater, but the Six Nations stands alongside the very greatest occasions in world sport, which is reflected by these partnerships. Going into another incredible conclusion to the Men's Championship, all parties are incredibly excited to build on this momentum and audience growth, to deliver the best possible experience for fans over the next four years.' ITV Sports rights portfolio includes the Women's Euros 2025, The FA Cup, Men's Euros 2028, Men's FIFA World Cup 2026, Men's FIFA World Cup 2030, Guinness Men's Six Nations Championship, ITV Horse Racing, LIV Golf and the Carabao Cup among many other sporting highlights. BBC Sport is the home of the Women's Six Nations 2025 across linear TV and iPlayer starting later this month (22 March), along with exclusive coverage of every match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in England this summer, available live on TV, iPlayer, and the red button. BBC Sport's rights portfolio also includes the Olympic Games, The FA Cup, Men's Euro 2028, Women's Euros 2025, Men's FIFA World Cup 2026, Men's FIFA World Cup 2030, Women's Super League, Wimbledon Championships, Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 and Match of The Day (Premier League and Champions League highlights). HM4
BBC News
08-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland ready for Murrayfield chaos all over again
Men's Six Nations: Scotland v IrelandDate: Sunday, 9 February Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Watch on BBC One & BBC iPlayer; live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds Drama has usually followed Ireland to Murrayfield in recent years. Seven years ago, it was the now-infamous 'busgate' episode, when Ireland's transport to take them to the stadium on gameday showed up late on, eating into the team's warm-up and enraging the notoriously meticulous Joe beat Ireland 27-22 that day thanks to a couple of late Greig Laidlaw penalties. The Irish never fully recovered from that opening-weekend defeat as England won the title. Two years later, the then Grand Slam holders' hopes of leaving Edinburgh with victory were again threatened when talismanic fly-half Johnny Sexton succumbed to injury just 24 minutes in, only for Schmidt's side to prevail 22-13. In 2021, at the end of another hectic afternoon, Ireland needed Sexton's nerveless late penalty to eke out a 27-24 Murrayfield mayhem followed in wins from a Grand Slam, Ireland lost both starting hooker Dan Sheehan and his replacement Ronan Kelleher to injury, leading to a hastily cobbled-together rejig in which prop Cian Healy scrummaged as a hooker and flanker Josh van der Flier threw the line-outs. Caelan Doris and Iain Henderson also went off hurt inside the opening 25 minutes, but as they often do, Ireland navigated the tumult and won 22-7. Earlier this week, scrum coach John Fogarty recalled his panic during the 2023 game and how head coach Andy Farrell surprisingly revelled in the Farrell is, for now, shielded from the stresses of organising a group of players for a Six Nations fixture, his interim successor Simon Easterby has been forced into a late reshuffle following Mack Hansen's withdrawal on the eve of the game, with Calvin Nash promoted to the line-up. Easterby will hope Hansen's troubles are not a portent for what lies ahead on Sunday with Ireland aiming to overcome a significant hurdle in their quest for a third successive title. England's thrilling victory over France on Saturday only heightens the stakes. With a bonus-point win at Murrayfield, Ireland will be in the driving seat heading into the down week. 'No room for complacency' As has been widely discussed this week, Ireland's recent record against the Scots is remarkable. They lead 21-4 in Six Nations meetings and have won the last 10, the latter run including a couple of World Cup wins and an Autumn Nations Cup success. In fact, not since that infamous 2017 game have Scotland - then managed by Vern Cotter - gotten one over on their Celtic cousins. Ireland, however, have been keen to distance themselves from chat about winning streaks and psychological edges all week. Plenty has been said in the past, but a pre-match war of words has certainly not been forthcoming this week. "I don't think there's any room for that [complacency], given the respect we have for them," Ireland skipper Doris said on Saturday. "You hear that outside noise about our record against them, but it hasn't been talked about in here and we've been preparing for a proper Test match."We've seen what they've been about over the last number of years, most recently last weekend. Especially at home there's that extra element." Doris is right to point out Scotland's recent form. After losing to Ireland in the final Six Nations game last year, they have won eight out of their past nine Tests and claimed Australia's scalp in November a week before Ireland edged past them. The potency of the Scottish backline - even without injured centre Sione Tuipulotu - has been a big point of focus, too."Their attack is very dangerous," added Doris, who made his Ireland debut against Scotland in 2020. "They attack with quite a bit of width and flair. Their counter-attack, with the wings and back three in general. "You're seeing some of the tries Duhan van der Merwe has scored, Darcy Graham as well is a massive threat and Blair Kinghorn, too. We'll have our hands full." In an attempt to withstand the Scots, Easterby has reinstalled firebrand flanker Peter O'Mahony to the starting line-up for the first time since last summer.O'Mahony has history in this fixture, and given it will be his first start since being replaced by Doris as captain, the Munster veteran will not be short of motivation. "He loves these games, obviously he loves the Six Nations, he loves representing the nation, and he always adds something different, something a little bit special," observed Doris. "He's got 110 caps, 111 tomorrow, so a wealth of experience there, and just a good fella to have around camp. Last week, he was great even though he wasn't involved."There is a bit of an added edge from him this week as well. He's always someone who I enjoy having alongside me in the back row."O'Mahony's return adds even more know-how to an Irish side packed with experience, the 23-man matchday squad totalling 1220 caps compared to Scotland's 864. Fly-half Sam Prendergast is the outlier. It will be the 21-year-old's first away game for Ireland and Scotland will undoubtedly set out to unsettle him. Ireland's experience told against England, especially during a dominant second half when Jack Conan and Dan Sheehan made huge impacts off the bench. Not short of Test experience either, Scotland are also hardened by previous pain at Irish hands. Townsend set up defensively in Dublin last year, but stirred by the home crowd, his side may go all-out to make it another frantic afternoon for will not be anything Ireland have not encountered in the Scottish capital before. Navigate the mayhem once more and they will be this weekend's big winners.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The 'rugby student' stepping up to lead Ireland
Men's Six Nations: Ireland v England Venue: Aviva Stadium Date: Saturday, 1 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1 Ken Owens can still remember one of his first encounters with Simon Easterby. Long before he was Wales captain and a starting British and Irish Lions hooker, Owens was a fresh-faced graduate from the Scarlets academy in 2005. By then, Easterby was already club captain, an established Ireland international and a starting Lions back row. No better man, then, to introduce Owens to the intensity of the senior game. "One of my first contact sessions, I was jackalling in a ruck and I got cleaned out as if it were a World Cup final," recalls Owens. "He was competitive in everything he did; diligent, professional. It rubbed off on me. He was the go-to man. "He always had a presence about him. He led by example and was the figurehead at the club at that time. When I went on to become a captain later in my career, I took a lot from the way he captained the side as well." Ireland pick Prendergast at fly-half for England game Prendergast 'right man' to start for Ireland - Easterby Easterby taking reins will be 'seamless' - Farrell Twenty years on, Easterby is still leading by example. On Saturday, the 49-year-old will take charge of Ireland for the first time, having been appointed interim head coach while Andy Farrell is seconded with the British and Irish Lions. His playing and coaching career to this point paints a portrait of a man who will not be overawed by the prospect of stepping into Farrell's shoes. Born in Yorkshire, Easterby comes from a sporting family. His mother, Katherine, was an Irish hockey international from Blackrock in Dublin while his father, Henry, was related to the Easterby horseracing dynasty from Yorkshire. He was educated at Ampleforth College, a prestigious Catholic boarding school in North Yorkshire. It was there that, despite a love of cricket, Easterby set a course towards a career in rugby. After leaving school, Easterby spent some time in Australia and played for Harrogate - alongside his brother Guy, another future Ireland international - and Leeds before moving to Llanelli in 1999. By the time he left Scarlets in 2014, he had amassed more than 200 appearances, spent five years as captain and another five as coach, first overseeing the defence before taking the top job in 2012. Operating on the blind side of the scrum, he sustained more than his fair share of knocks, from an Achilles rupture and a broken nose, to being knocked out cold in the 2006 Powergen Cup final following a collision with London Wasps full-back Mark van Gisbergen. While playing alongside him, Owens saw in Easterby not only a hard-as-nails leader but a man destined for a fruitful coaching career. "He always spoke and communicated well - he had the aggression that came naturally to him, but he was a student of the game as well," said Owens, who retired in 2024 after a career that yielded 91 Wales caps and five Lions Test appearances. "He understood rugby. As a player, the way you turned the ball over, making decisions around contact area and was very good in the line-out. "I think you see some players who go into coaching and see the game really easily and he's always had that. It's no surprise he's been successful as a coach." Easterby became a legend in Welsh club rugby, but he also forged a pretty decent career in green. Having turned down Clive Woodward's invitation to play for England, he chose Ireland. He won 65 caps, and by the time he announced his retirement on St Patrick's Day in 2008, he was the country's most-capped flanker. He made his debut against Scotland in the 2000 Six Nations, one of five new faces - alongside Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, Shane Horgan and John Hayes - introduced by Ireland boss Warren Gatland in a shake-up after a 50-18 thumping by England. Easterby played the full game, which Ireland won 44-22, and was retained at blind-side flanker for the remainder of the championship. He wasn't always a guaranteed starter, though. At the 2003 World Cup in Australia, he was on the fringes of Eddie O'Sullivan's side, but became a success story in an otherwise familiar tale of Irish woe that ended in a quarter-final exit. From there, Easterby became one of O'Sullivan's most trusted on-field lieutenants. "He was a physical and powerful athlete, as you'd expect from a back row, but you could see he was one of the smarter ones," says Chris Henry, one of Easterby's successors in the Irish back row. "He was part of that class back-row era with Denis Leamy, David Wallace and Neil Best." Two years after the World Cup, O'Sullivan handed him the captaincy for the 2005 autumn series following injuries to Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell. That was an especially big year for him. In addition to seizing his Lions chance - which came after fellow Ampleforth College alum Lawrence Dallaglio's injury - he also married Sarra Elgan Rees, the television presenter and daughter of former Wales international Elgan Rees. Six years after his Test retirement, he returned to Ireland in 2014 as forwards coach under Joe Schmidt and has been a constant on the ticket ever since. He coaches how he played: with professionalism, efficiency and attention to detail. His rugby intelligence has helped build a defence upon which Ireland have built their Six Nations supremacy, with only 13 tries conceded across their back-to-back title wins. And he drills a team "without shouting and roaring", according to Henry, who worked under him at the 2015 World Cup and briefly at Ulster in 2018 when Easterby was called in by the province before Dan McFarland's arrival as head coach. "He was very controlled, calm. It was always clear, concise messages," said Henry. "With Ireland, I always thought his emotional intelligence was very good. He was aware of the right things to say [when you weren't selected]. He would always give you extra time, like when I wanted to do line-out work. "He's hugely respected and has been around a long time. Coaching is a ruthless business and not everyone lasts as long as he has." Having served a long apprenticeship in the backroom team, Easterby has now been thrust into the spotlight. He named his first team on Thursday, and while confidently fielding questions from reporters at Aviva Stadium, he pinpointed where he feels he has developed as a coach. "I think as a young coach and a young head coach, as I was at a club, you are trying to do everything and every part of the game, and you end up not being able to see the wood for the trees," he explained. "It's all-consuming, but over a period of time you realise what you can do and what you can share with other coaches. Over time you develop a feel for players, what they are going through and how you can support that and impact that. "Yes, there are always technical and tactical things that you want to keep strong on your side, but I think it is those conversations you have with players and the chats that you have over a period of time that allows you to get a feel for that player. "Then, hopefully, you can get the best out of them whether they are starting, on the bench or not involved at all." Analysis, preparation, man-management. Easterby seemingly has a handle on these aspects of coaching. On Saturday, the world will find out how he copes with the rest.
