Latest news with #SaraOrchard
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rugby Union Weekly Women's Six Nations: The Twickenham showdown
Only France stand in the way of England securing a fourth consecutive Grand Slam. Sara Orchard and Philippa Tuttiett preview the final weekend of the Six Nations, including the big showdown at Twickenham. Red Roses head coach John Mitchell talks about the connection he has formed with his players and how he is still assessing his options at fly-half. French rugby expert Paul Eddison joins the pod to give us the lowdown on their championship, and why they are struggling to keep pace with England. We also look ahead to a huge game for Wales in Italy as Sean Lynn warns his players their World Cup hopes could be in jeopardy if performances don't improve.
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
We need to be brave and change Women's Six Nations format
In short, England are too dominant. That is not taking away from anything England have done. I have been part of England sides that have been dominant; we won the Six Nations seven years on the bounce between 2006 and 2012, and the biggest upset was when we didn't win the Grand Slam. The narrative that England need to lose to become the best is something that I don't totally agree with. After all, their training will be hugely challenging, but people are not watching that. The Six Nations tournament is up there at the pinnacle but a lack of competition can make the product harder to sell. I don't think you should penalise England, or any side, for being dominant. We should celebrate how good they are. It is not their fault; they are reaping the rewards of long-term investment in the team while other nations are in earlier stages of professionalism. Be brave and try something So how do you solve the problem and add more unpredictability? It is a fascinating question. You could go extreme, rip everything up and merge the Women's Six Nations with the Pacific Four Series, which involves Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, so you have the top teams in the world playing each other. But I think that is too tricky with costs, logistics, playing seasons, time zones and so on, as we have seen a little with the WXV tournament over the past two years. Still, we don't have to follow the men's game. This is an opportunity to view the women's game differently, to be brave and try something. Yes, we want to keep the core values and what is at the heart of it because the Six Nations is really special and players want to play in it. My first cap was against Scotland and it was an amazing feeling to wear the white shirt in a tournament like the Six Nations, to feel the history. It is an honour. It is like playing at the big stadiums. I remember playing at Twickenham for the first time in 2007 and there were maybe 100 people there, but the opportunity to be in that dressing room and on that pitch was amazing. Any changes must retain what is special but make it more competitive, add jeopardy, and give the other nations time to challenge. The best idea I've heard came from a conversation with BBC commentator Sara Orchard. It is a tiering system, which would be similar to what we did during Covid but instead of random pools it would be seeded because we want England to be challenged. Finals day could be rotated So you have the three best teams in tier one, which right now would be England, France and Ireland, and the other three – Italy, Scotland and Wales – in tier two. Teams play the other sides in their tier home and away, then there is a big finals day at one venue where one plays two to win the Six Nations, three plays four as in the bottom of tier one and top of tier two, and five plays six. That three v four game would be important because it would be for promotion and relegation for the following year's championship.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Men's Six Nations 2025 across the BBC
Epic clashes, roaring crowds and the most brutal competition – BBC Sport is bringing the Men's Six Nations to fans across the UK. Reigning champions Ireland will be trying to retain their trophy, as home nations England, Scotland and Wales fire up to win in another fierce tournament. With live match coverage, unmatched highlights and expert analysis from rugby legends, it's not to be missed. The Men's Six Nations returns to BBC TV, iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, Sounds, BBC Sport website/app and social media platforms from Friday 31 January. CF Highlights Gabby Logan presents live match coverage on BBC One and iPlayer with expert punditry and match analysis from Rugby Union legends including Martin Johnson, Sam Warburton, John Barclay, Chris Paterson, Jonathan Davies, Danny Care, Tommy Bowe, Sergio Parisse, Chris Ashton and former referee Nigel Owens Ugo Monye presents Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC Two, with in-depth analysis and highlights of the weekend matches Commentary from Andrew Cotter, Sara Orchard, Alastair Eykyn and Gareth Rhys Owen Listen to every home nations match on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, with commentary led by Chris Jones and Sara Orchard Key clips, in-depth expert analysis, full match reports, and live text commentary on the BBC Sport website, app and social channels Insight from the biggest names in the game on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast on BBC Sounds Live coverage of every match of the U20s Six Nations on BBC iPlayer All three matches of the opening weekend of the 2025 Six Nations live across the BBC. BBC's TV coverage of the Men's Six Nations starts on Saturday 1 February, with Gabby Logan presenting Scotland v Italy live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Sonja McLaughlan hosts coverage of the opening match, France v Wales, on Friday 31 January from 7pm on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. On Saturday from 4.45pm defending champions Ireland host England in Dublin, also available on 5 Live and BBC Sounds. Gabby Logan says: 'The BBC's coverage of the 2025 Six Nations promises to deliver the thrilling moments of this iconic tournament to rugby fans everywhere. Whether you're watching on TV, listening on the radio, or keeping up with all the action through our comprehensive digital platforms, we've got you covered. The Six Nations always brings unforgettable drama, passion, and incredible skill, and I'm so excited to see which players and teams will rise to the occasion this year. It's a competition like no other, and we're ready to bring it all to life for our audience.' Alex Kay-Jelski Director of BBC Sport says 'There's so many great storylines and games in this year's Six Nations. Can Ireland claim a hat-trick of titles? Will Wales bounce back? Could Scotland finally win the championship? The Six Nations is rugby at its finest and our coverage takes viewers close to the action, with expert analysis, in-depth storytelling, and every twist and turn on TV, iPlayer, Radio, BBC Sounds and online." The BBC's Six Nations Line Up Gabby Logan's at the helm of BBC Sport's live coverage on TV and BBC iPlayer. She's joined by an all-star team of experts, including two-time British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton, England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson, former Scotland captain John Barclay, Welsh legend Jonathan Davies, and Scotland's record points holder Chris Paterson. Plus, there's insights from former Italian international Sergio Parisse. Andrew Cotter leads the TV commentary, with Gareth Rhys Owen, Alastair Eykyn, and Sara Orchard providing highlights commentary. For TV and iPlayer, refereeing legend Nigel Owens is offering his unparalleled expert insight and analysis on all the key officiating decisions. Pitch-side reporters Sonja McLaughlan and Lee McKenzie are bringing viewers all the big-name interviews and updates right from the touchline. Six Nations Rugby Special, hosted by former England and British and Irish Lions winger Ugo Monye, returns on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer every Sunday during match weeks throughout the tournament. Every home nations match will be available on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app with radio commentary led by the BBC's rugby correspondent Chris Jones and BBC rugby reporter Sara Orchard. In-depth analysis and expert commentary is provided by World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson, along with Ken Owens, Ugo Monye, Tommy Bowe, Chris Ashton, Donncha O'Callaghan, Philippa Tuttiett and Johnnie Beattie. Live Match Coverage Catch every thrilling moment of the Six Nations on BBC Sport. With live TV coverage of selected games on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, live audio commentary of every home nations match on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live, and 5 Sports Extra and updates across the BBC Sport Website and app, fans won't miss a second of the action. Live TV action on BBC Sport kicks off on Saturday 1 February, at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh with Scotland taking on Italy. Don't miss Scotland vs. Ireland (9 February), Wales vs. Ireland (27 February), Scotland vs. Wales (8 March), and Wales vs. England on Super Saturday (15 March). Radio commentary begins for the opening match of the tournament on Friday 31 January with Sonja McLaughlan hosting coverage of France v Wales from 7pm on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. Whether you're watching from the sofa with your family or listening on the move so you don't miss a second, BBC Sport has you covered with live streaming on BBC iPlayer and audio commentary on BBC Sounds, across any device. Fans can also watch every match of the U20s Six Nations on BBC iPlayer. Online Stay up to date with everything Six Nations on BBC Sport's digital platforms. Catch key clips, in-depth expert analysis, full match reports, and live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app, BBC News, and across BBC Sport social channels. In-depth Programmes Rugby legend Ugo Monye returns to host Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from Sunday 2 February. Join Ugo every Sunday for the highlights and in-depth analysis of all Six Nations matches, bringing the best moments and expert insights throughout each round of the tournament. Whether you're a passionate Six Nations fan or new to the tournament, BBC Sport will keep you connected to all the action. The hugely popular Rugby Union Weekly podcast will be going daily again for the Six Nations. Chris Jones and Sara Orchard alongside co-hosts Chris Ashton, Ugo Monye and Danny Care will bring you new episodes every day during match weeks. Hear from the biggest names in the sport, as we take you inside the camps, and bring you the best insight and analysis from the likes of Sam Warburton, John Barclay and Tommy Bowe. Listen on BBC Sounds from Monday 27 January. BBC Cymru Wales Live commentary of all of Wales' matches during the Six Nations will be on both BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, as well as live coverage of Wales' games against Ireland, Scotland, and England on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer. Sarra Elgan's Six Nations Preview 2025 A special preview programme ahead of this year's tournament, Sarra Elgan's Six Nations Preview 2025, will be on BBC One Wales on Wednesday 29 of January at 7pm, and BBC One at midnight. Sarra will be speaking to key figures from each side - including Warren Gatland, Ireland's Captain Caelan Doris, as well as Italy's Louis Lynagh with Wallabie legend dad Michael, France's Olympic star Antoine Dupont and England's Marcus Smith. Captains and players from all six countries will be giving an insight into their lives behind the action and the challenges they face ahead of what many view as the highlight of the rugby calendar. Scrum V Top 5 On the same night, at 10.40pm on BBC One Wales, comedian and rugby fanatic, Mike Bubbins will be opening the doors to his home bar to interview one of Wales' top sporting legends in Scrum V Top 5. None other than the world's most-capped rugby player, Alun Wyn Jones, will join him in the first episode of this year's series and pick his five most important and memorable Six Nations games. On the field, Alun Wyn was the ultimate warrior, but having played nearly 70 Six Nations matches, what games will he select? Other sporting greats who take a stool at the bar in this series will be Adam Jones, Sarra Elgan, and Will Carling who all look back at some incredible top 5 rugby moments. Six Nations Greatest Moments Gabby Logan introduces The Six Nations Greatest Moments, showcasing the very best action from the last twenty-five years of the competition. The series features the biggest talking points, highlights and unforgettable moments from the world's greatest rugby tournament, spanning from 2000 to 2024. Featuring rugby greats like Mike Tindell, Sam Warburton, Shane Williams and James Haskell, iconic captains like Sergio Parisse and famous fans like Ardal O'Hanlon and Nick Knowles. This stellar line-up reminisce over Wales' demolition of England in 2013, Martin Johnson's stand off against Ireland in 2003 and the emergence of a young centre by the name of Brian O'Driscoll. The six-part series kicks off on BBC One Wales, on February 3 at 8pm. Viewers can follow all the latest news from the Wales camp via the BBC Sport app and BBC Sport website by following 'Wales Sport'. BBC Scotland All Scotland matches will be on BBC Radio Scotland Extra on Sounds, on 810 MW and online. Andy Burke will present, and commentary will come from Thomas Duncan and Stuart McFarlane, with analysis from Tom English. There'll be full, live match coverage, build up and postscript for all the games on BBC Sport Scotland's online and social platforms, as well as regular bonus episodes of the Scotland Rugby Podcast throughout the tournament. BBC Northern Ireland BBC Sport Northern Ireland will have live commentary of all of Ireland's games in the Six Nations on BBC Sounds. Gavin Andrews will introduce the coverage via BBC Radio Ulster starting with Ireland v England live from the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 1 February. Jim Neilly will be on commentary alongside ex-Ireland flanker Chris Henry with former Ireland internationals Claire Small, Paul Marshall, Jonny Bell and Robbie Diack providing analysis over the course of this year's tournament. BBC TV and iPlayer Six Nations Schedule Date Fixture Location Coverage 01 February Scotland v Italy Murrayfield BBC One & iPlayer 02 February Rugby Special - BBC Two & iPlayer 09 February Scotland v Ireland Murrayfield BBC One & iPlayer 22 February Wales v Ireland Principality BBC One & iPlayer 08 March Scotland v Wales Murrayfield BBC One & iPlayer 09 March Rugby Special - BBC Two & iPlayer 15 March Wales v England Principality BBC One & iPlayer 16 March Rugby Special - BBC Two & iPlayer
