"Brian Moore axed" - Who are the BBC and ITV Six Nations 2023 presenters and pundits?

Meet the BBC and ITV presenters and pundits who will front the Six Nations 2023 TV coverage in the UK, with all 15 matches shown live across the two channels.

Kicking off a massive year of rugby union on ITV - with the Rugby World Cup to be exclusively screened on ITV1 and ITVX in the Autumn - the channel will show ten live matches throughout the six weeks of the Six Nations.

They include mouth-watering clashes including the tournament finale Ireland v England at the Aviva Stadium, England v France on March 11, and a clash of the pre-championship favourites Ireland v France on Feb 11.

This year's tournament marks the latest in a deal between ITV and the BBC that sees 6 Nations matches shared between both broadcasters on television and online with ITV's matches aired on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Leading ITV’s team will be presenters Mark Pougatch and Jill Douglas, joined by Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio, members of England’s victorious Rugby World Cup 2003 team, along with their coach Sir Clive Woodward, England Women World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, fellow former Irish skipper Rory Best, former Wales captain Gareth Thomas, Welsh legend Jamie Roberts, former Scotland and Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan, former Scottish international Jim Hamilton, Australia's most-capped player George Gregan, and former French forward Benjamin Kayser.

Martin Bayfield will combine presenting duties with his role as reporter, alongside reporter Gabriel Clarke. Joining them with a wealth of experience in the commentary box will be Nick Mullins and Miles Harrison, plus co-commentators Shane Williams, Gordon D’Arcy, Ben Kay, Scott Hastings, David Flatman and Danielle Waterman.

Every match will be simulcast live on ITVX, and our responsively designed 6 Nations site – itv.com/six-nations – will help bring the tournament to life with all the latest news and highlights of all games.

Sat 4 Feb - England v Scotland - coverage starts on ITV1 at 4pm with a 4.45pm kick-off 

Sun 5 Feb - Italy v France, ko 1500, transmission from 1415-1730

Sat 11 Feb - Ireland v France, ko 1415, transmission from 1330-1630

Sun 12 Feb - England v Italy, ko 1500, transmission from 1415-1730

Sat 25 Feb - Italy v Ireland, ko 1415, transmission TBC

Sun 26 Feb - France v Scotland, ko 1500, transmission TBC

Sat 11 Mar - Italy v Wales, ko 1415, transmission TBC

Sat 11 Mar - England v France, ko 1645, transmission TBC

Sat 18 Mar - France v Wales, ko 1445, transmission TBC

Sat 18 Mar - Ireland v England, ko 1700, transmission TBC

Gabby Logan will lead live coverage across TV and BBC iPlayer as the six teams compete for glory.

Gabby will be joined by a host of former Rugby Union stars including Martin Johnson, Sam Warburton, John Barclay and Tommy Bowe. On BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, pundits include World Cup winners Matt Dawson, Katy Daley-McLean and Paul Grayson, Lions captain Sam Warburton, Lions stars Tom Shanklin and Denis Hickie, and former Scotland captain John Barclay. The BBC pundits will provide analysis, informed discussion and home nation expertise across TV and radio.  

Andrew Cotter will lead on TV commentary throughout the tournament and will be joined by co-commentators Jonathan Davies and Chris Paterson. For radio, commentary will be led by BBC’s Rugby Union Correspondent Chris Jones and Sara Orchard. 

For TV and BBC iPlayer, refereeing royalty Nigel Owens will provide an official’s perspective at key points during games and Sonja McLaughlan and Lee McKenzie will be pitch side for every game, bringing viewers the latest developments as they happens on and off the field. 

The returning Rugby Special will be hosted by Ugo Monye, with Sara Orchard and Alastair Eykyn’s commentary featuring in the programme and BBC highlights generally.

One noticeable absentee from The BBC line-up is Brian Moore, who was axed following the 2022 Six Nations.

 With the recent broadcast deal announcement and the BBC getting fewer games, and none of England’s home ones – plus any number of commentators and presenters to accommodate – it’s not easy.

“I can understand it. The BBC has a regional remit. So when they’ve got Scotland and Wales home games people want to hear from a local co-commentator.”

Moore has been the only causality, with Jeremy Guscott also stepping down from his punditry role to “focus on other business interests”.