Gabby Logan makes statement ahead of presenting final Six Nations match on BBC
Rugby NewsFriday, 14 March 2025 at 09:23
England and Ireland both lose without bonuses. If they finish level with England or Ireland, it could come down to the scoreboard.
Gabby Logan has warned that taking the Six Nations off terrestrial TV could have a damaging impact on rugby’s future.
Find your local Greene King and settle in to the Six Nations!
With speculation mounting that the BBC and ITV could lose the rights to the competition after the 2025 Championship, it means Wales vs England could be the final men’s Six Nations match broadcast by the BBC—for now, at least.
The current TV deal is set to expire, and TNT Sports is reportedly in the frame to swoop in and secure exclusive rights. However, Logan, recently named a Match of the Day host, believes that moving the tournament behind a paywall could significantly harm the sport’s accessibility and growth.
Speaking on the
Sports Agents podcast, she explained:
"We're talking about people who don't watch rugby all the time. Enjoying these massive occasions, finding out more about the sport, enjoying the combat, enjoying the rivalry. That, if the Six Nations goes behind a paywall potentially, will be completely lost.
"That neutral fan, that person that doesn't really know rugby, coming along and enjoying the ride, they're not necessarily going to go and bother to buy TNT or wherever the sport takes the Six Nations."
Logan also highlighted the commercial risk of moving the tournament away from free-to-air TV, questioning whether it could harm rugby’s sponsorship opportunities.
"It's not a lot in the scheme of things when you consider the sponsors and the brands who are not going to get the exposure that they would get on terrestrial television. Is this rugby union potentially shooting itself in the foot again?"
For Logan, the biggest concern is how rugby can continue to grow without easy access for new fans. She added:
"The concern I would have is that those people who don’t necessarily know rugby aren’t necessarily going to seek it out. And then how do you grow the game? How do you get new eyeballs? How do you get new fans? How do you get new players?"
With rugby already facing challenges in growing its audience, Logan’s words serve as a major warning to decision-makers ahead of a crucial rights deal.
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EDITORS PICKS:
How England and Scotland can still win the 2025 Six Nations
France, England, and Ireland are all in the hunt for Six Nations glory on a dramatic final day. With multiple scenarios in play, here’s what each team needs to do to be crowned champions.
Scotland – The Ultimate Wild Card
A long shot, but not mathematically impossible.
BP win over France + surpass them on points difference.
England lose to Wales but pick up a BP, with Scotland edging them on points difference.
Ireland slip up against Italy, allowing Scotland to leapfrog them.
England lose to Wales but pick up a BP, with Scotland edging them on points difference.
Ireland slip up against Italy, allowing Scotland to leapfrog them.
If Scotland finish on 16 points, it’s all down to the calculator.
Ireland – Hoping for Chaos
Ireland need results to go their way, but it’s not impossible.
BP win over Italy + France & England fail to win: Ireland snatch the title with 20 points.
Win without a BP + France & England both lose: Ireland sneak in with 18 points.
Draw or two-BP loss: If France and England both lose, Ireland could still edge it on points difference.
Win without a BP + France & England both lose: Ireland sneak in with 18 points.
Draw or two-BP loss: If France and England both lose, Ireland could still edge it on points difference.
England – Waiting for a French Stumble
Steve Borthwick’s men must take care of business against Wales and hope France slip up.
BP win over Wales + France lose/draw: England leapfrog to the title with 20 points.
Win without a BP + France fail to win: England take it with 19 points.
Draw or lose narrowly: A BP draw or two BPs in a loss could still be enough if France and Ireland both lose.
Points difference: If level with France, England must have the superior margin.
Win without a BP + France fail to win: England take it with 19 points.
Draw or lose narrowly: A BP draw or two BPs in a loss could still be enough if France and Ireland both lose.
Points difference: If level with France, England must have the superior margin.
France – The Favourites, But Not Home Yet
France lead the pack and have the most direct path to the title.
Win with a bonus point: A BP victory over Scotland seals the championship with 21 points.
Win without a BP: They’ll still take the title with 20 points—unless England secure a BP win.
Draw with a BP: Still enough if England and Ireland don’t overtake them.
Lose but collect two BPs: France can still win if
Win without a BP: They’ll still take the title with 20 points—unless England secure a BP win.
Draw with a BP: Still enough if England and Ireland don’t overtake them.
Lose but collect two BPs: France can still win if
QUIZ: Can You Name the England XV that Won the 2020 Six Nations?
England last won the Six Nations in 2020, in what was a crowning achievement during the Eddie Jones era. Coming off the back of the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final heartbreak, England bounced back to win their seventh Six Nations title since the competition's Italian expansion in 2000.
England secured the trophy with a win in Rome, as they handed Italy a one-sided 34-5 bonus point defeat. We are challenging you to remember who started for England that day, as the match was played in front of an empty stadium during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
You have five minutes to provide your answers, good luck!
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