Rugby fans have taken to social media to air their frustration over the possibility of the Six Nations being taken off free-to-air TV.
Six Nations organisers this week refused to rule out the possibility of the competition going behind a £300m paywall in 2022.
Here are 6 very good reasons why the competition MUST remain on free-to-air TV.
1. Availability
The great thing about the Six Nations is that it's available to everyone including the casual fan. It’s part of their sporting calendar.
Rugby is not like football. It is a minority sport which needs money and exposure even to stand still in the battle to remain mainstream.
2. Participation numbers
The TV coverage of the Six Nations is the first thing that got me into rugby. Look at what happened to cricket in the decade after 2005 when it left free-to-air television. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced record turnover, profit and investment in the game and a near 30 per cent drop in participation numbers.
3. Stuart Barnes
Imagine his commentary on every game? Not nice is it. That would be the reality if the game moved to SKY.
4. Expensive
A lot of rugby fans struggle to get to Six Nations matches due to the high price of tickets. Sky Sports can be £44 per month, which would be far too expensive for a number of fans.
5. People who know rugby think it's a TERRIBLE idea
England legends Martin Johnson and Brian Moore have both blasted the plan.
6. Why change things that work?
The Six Nations works and people love it. They love the tradition of it.
The Team Voted The Greatest Six Nations XV Of All Time By Fans
With the 2020 Six Nations in full swing, we wanted to know what you think the best-ever combined XV.
And after 30,000 votes, here is the team fans selected. There are one or two surprise inclusions.
Fullback: JASON ROBINSON (England) - 10,758 votes
Winger: SHANE WILLIAMS (Wales) - 12,374
Centre: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) - 21,392
Centre: Will Greenwood (England) - 10,697
Greenwood followed his father Dick into an England shirt. While his father was a prickly back row player, the younger Greenwood was one of the finest centres to grace the England midfield.
Winger: Tommy Bowe (Ireland) - 5,793
Fly-half: Jonny Wilkinson (England) - 17,066
Scrum-half: Gareth Edwards (Wales) - 9,725
Prop: Jason Leonard (England) - 10,549
Hooker: Keith Wood (Ireland) - 14,041
Prop: Adam Jones (Wales) - 10,793
Lock: Martin Johnson (England) - 14,442
Lock: Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - 12,850
Paul O'Connell of Ireland seen during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Italy v Ireland at The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Oct 4th 2015 in London - Photo mandatory by-line: Graeme Truby/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - SPORT - International Rugby
Flanker: Richard Hill (England) - 9,453
Flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) - 7,815
Number 8: Sergio Parisse (Italy) - 9,884
