The 2026 Six Nations will once again be shown live on UK free-to-air channels after ITV and the BBC renewed their joint broadcast deal.
One game from each round will be televised by the national broadcaster, with all other games being shown on ITV. ITV has become the home of international rugby for the foreseeable future after agreeing a deal to broadcast the new national championships from July.
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For now, though, the coverage will have a familiar look, with few new faces in both pundit and commentary line-ups.
Big names such as Jonny Wilkinson, Jonathan Davies and Maggie Alphonsi will provide analysis over the five rounds, along with recent retirees such as Greig Laidlaw and XXX.
You can see and hear these people throughout the Six Nations.
ITV
Presenters Mark Pugach and Jill Douglas will lead ITV’s coverage, with Nick Mullins and Miles Harrison serving as key commentators. Former England international Topsy Ojo will serve as expert and reporter, with ITV veteran Gabriel Clark also providing on-the-ground reporting.
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ITV expert
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson scores England’s winning goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final (PA Archive)
Wilkinson’s goal at the 2003 World Cup remains an iconic moment in British men’s rugby history. The former winger worked as an occasional coaching consultant for the national team, making 97 appearances and finishing his club career building a dynasty on France’s south coast in Toulon.
Maggie Alfonsi
Former flanker Alfonsi was a key figure in England’s 2014 World Cup victory under Gary Street and has become a familiar face on ITV and Sky since his retirement, as well as being a regular columnist for Sport England. The Telegraph. She is the first female recipient of the Rugby League Writers Club’s prestigious Pat Marshall Memorial Award.
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Ugo Mone
Ugo Monye will become part of the ITV team (PA Archive)
Busy Monye will combine his work at ITV with his day-to-day duties as co-host and presenter of the BBC Rugby League Daily Podcast. rugby speciala Sunday night highlight. The former England international has forged a successful and varied career, including captaining the England national team. sports issues and appear in Strictly Come Dancing.
Brian O’Driscoll
O’Driscoll is regarded as one of the greatest centre-forwards in history and perhaps Irish rugby’s most talented individual player, who was also a dexterity specialist. The three-time Six Nations player made 133 appearances for his country and featured on four British and Irish Lions tours.
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Rory Best
The Ulster captain, who captained Ireland at the 2019 World Cup, has made 102 Test starts at the Hooker Stadium, providing a measured approach and expertise.
Jamie Roberts
The burly former Wales center Roberts, whose career has seen stops in England, France, South Africa and Australia, is also a standout off the pitch, with the 36-year-old earning a medical degree at Cardiff University and completing a master’s degree in medicine at the University of Cambridge.
Dan Bigger
Dan Biggar retires from international rugby after the World Cup (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)
Biggar continues his journey around the world as a specialist by making his first Six Nations appearance since announcing his full retirement. A fierce competitor on the field, he proved to be an astute analyst off the field, serving as a columnist for The Wall Street Journal. daily mail While still involved in Toulon.
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Sergio Parise
(Getty Images)
Italy’s greatest ever player confirmed his retirement shortly before the tournament and will make his ITV debut during the 2023 World Cup. He will also appear on the BBC programme.
Benjamin Keyser
Bilingual Kaiser has become a popular expert on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The former Leicester and Clermont-Auvergne hooker is a well-read man who studied at Oxford University and coached at leisure club Tunbridge Wells RFC in Kent.
Ronan O’Gara
(Getty Images)
Equally outspoken and intuitive, O’Gara is a great rugby communicator, as evidenced by his work with La Rochelle. Things have soured slightly for the two-time Champions League-winning coach with top 14 clubs, but one day the former Ireland wing-back is sure to be called upon in a top international role.
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Greg Laidlaw
Former Scotland half-back Laidlaw is another who has worked his way up through the coaching ranks. The 40-year-old has previously worked with Japan and Scotland Under-20s.
Co-commentator for ITV
Shane Williams
Red-hot pacer Williams has been a regular fixture on television since retiring as Wales’ record scorer in 2011. The 46-year-old remains a fitness fanatic.
Gordon Darcy
Darcy, O’Driscoll’s long-term center partner who announced his retirement in 2015, won three Champions League titles and made 82 appearances for Ireland. he is a contributor irish times.
Ben Kay
Ben Kay will serve as commentator (Getty Images)
Kai, the 2003 World Cup winner, was known since his retirement as one of the sharpest and calmest commentary communicators. A regular feature of TNT Sports’ club rugby coverage, the lock works well with ITV chief commentator Nick Mullins. He is also currently a member of the RFU Board of Directors.
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Scott Hastings
Hastings made 65 appearances for Scotland as a centre-forward, often playing alongside his younger brother Gavin. Hastings was a two-time Lions visitor and occasionally served as lead commentator.
David Flatman
Former England player Flatman is one of the game’s most popular rugby speakers, adding a relaxed atmosphere and scrum expertise to coverage.
Danielle Waterman
Danielle Waterman wins 2014 World Cup(Getty)
Waterman was the goal scorer in England’s 2014 World Cup final victory over Canada and is another former football player on ITV’s commentary roster. A rugby sevens Olympian, the former defender is an ambassador for Laureus, Guinness and HSBC.