RTÈ and Virgin announce joint Six Nations coverage

Current Grand Slam champions Ireland will kick off the tournament against France on Friday February 2 in Marseille and will be live on Virgin Media

TV COVERAGE: RTÈ and Virgin Media Three will show all the Men's Six Nations games live across both broadcasts. Pic: RTE and Virgin Media Television

RTÈ and Virgin Media will split Six Nations coverage with all 15 men's games to be shown live and free-to-air across the two broadcasters.

The two networks will divide the two glamour games this season - Ireland will kick off the tournament when they take on France on Friday February 2 in Marseille and will be live on Virgin Media.

RTE will provide the live feed for Ireland's trip to Twickenham to meet England on Saturday March 9. Montrose's opening game sees Wales take on Scotland on Saturday February 3.

Virgin will also show Ireland taking on Italy on Saturday February 11 as well as their final game of the tournament when they take on Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on March 16.

Joe Molloy will front the coverage for Virgin with Rob Kearney, Matt Williams, Shane Horgan, Andrew Trimble, Ian Madigan, Fiona Hayes and Grace Davitt among the panellists. Dave McIntyre and Alan Quinlan will be on commentary with Tommy Martin reporting on the Ireland games.

RTE's other live game is the meeting with Wales on Saturday February 24. Jacqui Hurley will host the RTÈ televised games and will be joined by Jamie Heaslip, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Ferris, Fiona Coghlan, Donal Lenihan, Hannah Tyrrell and Jerry Flannery as panellists and analysts.

All of Ireland's Men's Six Nations will be live in full on RTÈ Radio One.

Said RTE Group Head of Sport Declan McBennett: "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."

Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport at Virgin added: “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." 

RTÈ Sport and Virgin Media 6N schedule: Fri Feb 2, France v Ireland, 8pm, Virgin Media; Sat Feb 3, Italy v England, 2.15pm, Virgin; Wales v Scotland, 4.45pm, RTÈ 2; Sat Feb 10, Scotland v France, 2.15, Virgin; England v Wales, 4.45, RTÈ2; Sun Feb 11, Ireland v Italy, 3pm, Virgin; Sat Feb 24, Ireland v Wales, 2.15pm, RTÈ2; Scotland v England, 4.45pm, Virgin; Sun Feb 25, France v Italy, 3pm, RTÈ2; Sat March 9, Italy v Scotland, 2.15, Virgin; Sat Mar 9, England v Ireland, 4.45, RTÈ 2; Sun Mar 10, Wales v France, 3pm, RTÈ2; Sat Mar 16, Wales v Italy, 2pm, RTÈ2; Ireland v Scotland, 4.45pm, Virgin; France v England, 8pm, RTÈ2.