The Guinness Six Nations will remain on Free To Air TV in Britain for the next four years after a deal was signed with the BBC and ITV over the weekend of March 15 and 16, 2025. With this agreement finalized, it assures viewers across the nation continued access to one of rugby's premier tournaments without financial barriers for the next four years. Simultaneous arrangements for coverage across Ireland, France, and Italy are expected to be concluded shortly after this year’s championship wraps up.
Following this settlement, there is strong optimism around similar deals being struck for the Irish broadcast rights, indicating another shared contract between RTÉ and Virgin Media. While this might not generate as much cash as alternative Pay Per View options, the long-term engagement with fans and sponsorships could offset the immediate revenue drop. Notably, Ireland is projected to incur over €5 million less in prize money, having finished third this year.
This comprehensive deal ensures viewers can enjoy ten fixtures annually, with ITV hosting every England fixture during the tournament. Meanwhile, the BBC has secured the rights to broadcast five Guinness Men's Six Nations matches each year, ensuring every Scotland and Wales home match will be available—except for those hosting England, which will air on ITV. The arrangement extends equally to women's rugby, with every fixture of the Guinness Women's Six Nations also on BBC networks until 2029.
Six Nations Rugby CEO Tom Harrison emphasized the significance of these new partnerships, stating, "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 the BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations." Harrison pointed out the growing competition for audience attention and the commercial struggles within the sports world.
On the playing field, the championship results this year provided various narratives and evaluations for each team involved. France secured another title, boasting impressive performances but still experiencing inconsistency, such as their error-prone match against England. They managed to achieve their notable win against Ireland, scoring 42-27, marking it as one of the best performances recorded away. Despite their successes, they are criticized for not regularly capitalizing on their immense talent to secure grand slams easily.
England, receiving the highest grade of A, showcased significant improvement under the leadership of head coach Steve Borthwick. Emerging from a series of disappointing results, including three consecutive losses against Southern Hemisphere teams, they demonstrated resilience and strength after victories over France and Wales. Their 30-0 win against Italy reinforced their position as top contenders this championship.
Conversely, Ireland's D grade, following expectations of attaining three consecutive Six Nations titles, reflects the disappointment within their camp after their defeat to France. The match ruined farewell celebrations for three Irish legends, exposing concerns about the squad's depth and age. While they still demonstrated formidable talent, continuity and newer capabilities remain pivotal for their return to form next year.
Scotland faced harsh critiques, earning the lowest grade of F. They relinquished the celebrated Calcutta Cup after four consecutive wins against England, failing to capitalize on their seasoned backline talent and continually falling victim to systemic weaknesses.
Italy’s grade of D, sharing some of Scotland's struggles, revealed the limitations of their strength and consistency. Despite possessing talented partnerships, they lacked durability across matches, especially versus England and France. They need to solidify their defensive structure to have meaningful victories moving forward.
Wales, obtaining a C grade, is faced with challenges as they continue to carry the burden of recent losses, including back-to-back wooden spoons. Although they showed moments of fighting spirit, their earlier setbacks occurred against higher-ranked opponents, reflecting long-term struggles needing to address how to reclaim past glories.
For the England Under-20s, hopes of completing a Grand Slam disappeared following their surprising 23-13 loss to Wales on March 14, 2025, at Cardiff Arms Park. Captain Tom Burrow expressed disappointment, noting the challenges posed by Wales’ effective defense. Coach Mark Mapletoft described the match as the product of some poorly executed strategies and predictability.
The days leading up to the match were filled with rigorous preparation, with the emphasis on tactical discussions and psychological readiness for the big game. The players maintained high spirits, channeling energy from their campaign theme focused on pop culture concepts, like the Avengers.
Despite the heavy loss, the experience served as a learning opportunity for young players. Burrow highlighted the importance of using such defeats as stepping stones to future success. Similarly, coach Mapletoft foresaw benefits from the adversity faced, pushing players to develop nerves and resilience under pressure.
Reflecting on the competition, Burrow expressed hopes for upcoming matches, particularly emphasizing the importance of how they will respond to this setback. With Italy set to host the 2025 World Championship, the path forward for both teams intersects with valuable lessons learned before their subsequent tournaments.
