- England face Italy in penultimate Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday
- Steve Borthwick’s side are still in with a chance of winning the tournament
- However, the BBC has opted to broadcast the final of Champions Trophy instead
England rugby fans will be unable to hear commentary of their team’s Six Nations clash with Italy on the radio – despite the BBC promising listeners it would air every match.
In a surprise move, the Beeb has chosen to broadcast cricket’s Champions Trophy final between India and South Africa or New Zealand on Radio 5 Sports Extra on Sunday, with 5 Live taking Chelsea’s Premier League game against Leicester.
It means audio coverage of England’s penultimate Six Nations match has been relegated to the BBC Sport website or app, in a blow to supporters unable to watch on television or access the internet.
The move is controversial given Steve Borthwick’s team are still in contention to win the tournament, while the Champions Trophy final does not involve England, who exited at the group stage.
BBC sources insist the decision is based on the fact the Premier League and Champions Trophy are behind a TV paywall, whereas the Six Nations match is available to watch for free on ITV.
They also point out that they have covered the Champions Trophy in full throughout the tournament.
England rugby fans will be unable to hear commentary of their team’s Six Nations clash with Italy on the radio
The BBC has chosen to broadcast cricket’s Champions Trophy final between India and South Africa or New Zealand
The move is controversial given Steve Borthwick’s team are still in contention to win the Six Nations
However, in 2021, when the Beeb secured the audio rights for the men’s Six Nations from 2022 to 2025, it stated: ‘As per previous years, every home nation game throughout the competition will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live or 5 Live Sports Extra.’
In January, broadcasting regulator Ofcom released a statement about coverage of the Six Nations and said: ‘The BBC will broadcast live radio coverage of all the matches in the 2025 Six Nations on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.’
A BBC announcement on the same day insisted there would be ‘live audio commentary of every home nations match on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra’.
The Beeb aired England’s three previous games against Ireland, France and Scotland on 5 Live or 5 Sports Extra.
When asked about Sunday’s schedule, a BBC Sport spokesperson told Mail Sport: ‘BBC Sport is providing audiences with comprehensive multiplatform coverage of the Six Nations covering all the home nations including the Scotland v Wales game this Saturday. Commentary of England’s match against Italy will be on the BBC Sport website and app.’
