The Six Nations is one of the great landmarks in the sporting year (Image: Getty)
The Six Nations rugby championship must remain free to watch, MPs from across the United Kingdom will declare in Parliament this week.
There will be “devastating consequences” for the sport if the matches disappear from the and ITV and are instead only available on a subscription service, according to a former Rugby Football Union staffer who has secured a special debate.
TNT Sports sparked alarm when it said it will “definitely” look at the Six Nations when the tender for 2026 onwards comes up.
The iconic tournament is not on the “group A” list of events which must be shown on terrestrial television.
The Yorkshire Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst, who was formerly the RFU’s senior public affairs manager, will warn of the harm rugby will suffer if viewing figures plummet because the matches are behind a paywall and fewer young people are inspired to take up the game.
He will make the case for adding the Six Nations to group A, alongside the Olympics, the FA Cup Final, the Grand National and other major events.
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Mr Dewhirst said: “The Six Nations is one of our most popular annual sporting events and this weekend millions of people across the UK will be watching at home and in the pub. It celebrates old rivalries between the home nations and inspires so many children to get involved in the game.
“It also fills a void in the sporting calendar during the cold and wet weekends in February and March when there are not many other major events taking place. My fear is that a move to subscription television will see audiences plummet and we risk missing out on the next generation of rugby players and fans.”
He claimed that cricket has “suffered since England Test matches were moved behind a paywall” and said he did not want rugby union to “make the same mistake”.
“It is time for the Government to review listed sporting events and put the Six Nations in the top tier, where it belongs,” he said.
England captain Maro Itoje has backed keeping the Six Nations viewable by the greatest number of people, saying “rugby needs more eyes on it, not less”.
Support for keeping the Six Nations free to watch also came from Northern Ireland DUP MP Jim Shannon.
He said: “The Six Nations tournament brings us together.”
Mr Shannon warned against “divisive attempts by others to make money, as they often do, off the backs of the wee man and the wee woman”.
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Welsh Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies said: “Rugby is a part of Welsh culture and national identity, and moving it behind a paywall would be a real loss. The tournament must be included within the top Group A of listed sporting events, so it stays free-to-air for future generations.
“Rugby brings us together – let’s keep it that way.”
The debate will be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday. The Liberal Democrats have also launched a campaign to keep the championship free-to-view.
An early day motion which MPs can sign to show their support states “that given that special national interest free-to-air live television coverage of the championship must be protected”.