RTÉ and Virgin Media confirm details of free-to-air Six Nations coverage

RTÉ and Virgin Media Television today announced details of its historic partnership to bring all of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations Rugby action, free-to-air for Irish sports fans.

Coverage will include all matches from the men's, women's and Under-20 tournaments, starting with Ireland U20s at home to Wales Friday, 4 February, which is live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

The partnership will see all matches in the Guinness Six Nations equally aired across both broadcasters, with the men's tournament beginning on Saturday 5 February as Ireland take on reigning champions Wales.

Then on 26 March, the Women's Six Nations begins with current title holders England taking on Scotland.

Ireland v Wales will be shown live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Saturday 5 February, as will England v Ireland (12 March, 4.45pm).

All five men's matches will be broadcast with full radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

Ireland's games against France (12 February), Italy (26 February) and Scotland (19 March) will be available on Virgin Media Television.

Commenting, Dee Forbes, RTÉ Director General, said: "There's always great excitement among sports fans at this time of the year about the start of the Six Nations rugby action and more so this year with all three tournaments - men's, women's and Under-20s - being available, free-to-air, on RTÉ and Virgin Media Ireland.

"We are delighted to have the Guinness Six Nations back on RTÉ and we are looking forward to bringing great coverage and analysis of all three Championships to audiences across our services."

RTÉ's comprehensive Six Nations rugby coverage of all 45 matches across the three tournaments includes exclusive free-to-air matches on RTÉ2, RTÉ Radio and RTÉ Player, while RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app will have