BBC to show Six Nations 2010 in HD
The BBC has revealed plans to broadcast every game from the Six Nations Championships in high definition for the first time ever.
Starting on February 6 at 2pm for Ireland's game against Italy, all matches from the tournament will be simulcast live on BBC One and BBC HD (apart from France vs Italy on March 14, which will be shown on BBC Two).
The Six Nations, featuring England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy, runs from February 6 to March 20, 2010. All games will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website, and made available on-demand via BBC iPlayer for a week after transmission.
John Inverdale and Gabby Logan will present the BBC's TV coverage, with in-game commentary coming from Eddie Butler, Andrew Cotter and Nick Mullins, along with Jonathan Davies, Phillip Matthews, Brian Moore and Andy Nicol.
Logan and Inverdale will be joined in the studio for match analysis by Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonathan Davies, Jeremy Guscott, Raphael Ibanez, Andy Nicol, Keith Wood and former Wales captain Colin Charvis.
Games held on February 7, 14 and 27, along with the tie on March 13 will all be available to watch on BBC Sport's interactive service via the Red Button.
"This year is the tenth anniversary of the Six Nations and it continues to keep us on the edge of our seats, with any team capable of beating any other on their day," said BBC Six Nations rugby editor Carl Hicks.
"We also mark the centenary for Twickenham, as well as French participation in the championships. It's quite apt, then, that the occasion will be even more of a viewing spectacle as every game, from the northern hemisphere's premier rugby tournament will be available in high definition."
BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will also carry extensive coverage from the tournament, including live commentary from all home nation matches.
England World Cup winner Matt Dawson, former Scotland captain Gavin Hastings, former Ireland and British Lions winger Denis Hickie and former Wales captain Robert Jones will provide expert analysis for the station.
Eleanor Oldroyd will present a Six Nations 5 Live Rugby Special on February 4 at 8pm to preview the opening round of matches.
On the BBC blogs and forums, former England star Guscott will provide tactical analysis of the games, while also answering questions from fans.
During last year's Six Nations, the BBC's coverage pulled in an average of 4.3 million viewers, rising to the peak of 7.6m for England's match against Wales.
Starting on February 6 at 2pm for Ireland's game against Italy, all matches from the tournament will be simulcast live on BBC One and BBC HD (apart from France vs Italy on March 14, which will be shown on BBC Two).
The Six Nations, featuring England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy, runs from February 6 to March 20, 2010. All games will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website, and made available on-demand via BBC iPlayer for a week after transmission.
John Inverdale and Gabby Logan will present the BBC's TV coverage, with in-game commentary coming from Eddie Butler, Andrew Cotter and Nick Mullins, along with Jonathan Davies, Phillip Matthews, Brian Moore and Andy Nicol.
Logan and Inverdale will be joined in the studio for match analysis by Lawrence Dallaglio, Jonathan Davies, Jeremy Guscott, Raphael Ibanez, Andy Nicol, Keith Wood and former Wales captain Colin Charvis.
Games held on February 7, 14 and 27, along with the tie on March 13 will all be available to watch on BBC Sport's interactive service via the Red Button.
"This year is the tenth anniversary of the Six Nations and it continues to keep us on the edge of our seats, with any team capable of beating any other on their day," said BBC Six Nations rugby editor Carl Hicks.
"We also mark the centenary for Twickenham, as well as French participation in the championships. It's quite apt, then, that the occasion will be even more of a viewing spectacle as every game, from the northern hemisphere's premier rugby tournament will be available in high definition."
BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra will also carry extensive coverage from the tournament, including live commentary from all home nation matches.
England World Cup winner Matt Dawson, former Scotland captain Gavin Hastings, former Ireland and British Lions winger Denis Hickie and former Wales captain Robert Jones will provide expert analysis for the station.
Eleanor Oldroyd will present a Six Nations 5 Live Rugby Special on February 4 at 8pm to preview the opening round of matches.
On the BBC blogs and forums, former England star Guscott will provide tactical analysis of the games, while also answering questions from fans.
During last year's Six Nations, the BBC's coverage pulled in an average of 4.3 million viewers, rising to the peak of 7.6m for England's match against Wales.
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