RBS 6 Nations ITV from 4.10pm on Saturday 4 February This is an ITV Sport production for ITV

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1 RBS 6 Nations 2017 The information contained herein is embargoed from press use, commercial and non-commercial reproduction and sharing into the public domain until Tuesday 31 January ITV from 4.10pm on Saturday 4 February 2017 This is an ITV Sport production for ITV ITV s live coverage of RBS 6 Nations Championship 2017 features a stellar line-up of on-screen talent and matches to be shown live on the channel. The channel will show eight matches throughout the six weeks of the tournament, including key clashes such as England v France and England v Scotland, both from Twickenham, as well as Ireland v France and what some are tipping to be the title decider, Ireland v England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The 2017 Championship, which kicks off on Saturday February 4, marks the second of a six-year deal between ITV and the BBC that sees matches shared between both broadcasters on television and online. 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, former Ireland captain Brian O Driscoll, former Wales captain Gareth Thomas, former Scotland and Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan, England Women World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi, former England international Ugo Monye, former Italian captain Marco Bortolami and former French international Olivier Magne. Martin Bayfield will combine presenting duties with his role as reporter. Joining them with a wealth of experience in the commentary box will be Nick Mullins, Miles Harrison, Martin Gillingham and Simon Ward, plus co-commentators Shane Williams, Gordon D Arcy, Ben Kay, Scott Hastings and David Flatman. Bringing viewers all the latest developments from in and around the stadia will be reporter Gabriel Clarke. Following the success of ITV s exclusive Rugby World Cup 2015 coverage, 2016 saw ITV broadcast Six Nations Rugby for the first time. ITV have taken viewers right to the heart of the action in recent years with ref cams, specialist lineout cameras, tracking cameras, corner post cameras and

2 spider cams to ensure viewers can see crunch moments from a range of close-up perspectives. Every match will be simulcast live on the ITV Hub, on web and app, for viewers to watch online, 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. The ITV Rugby Twitter account will feature in-match clips during each of the channel s broadcasts. ITV s portfolio of world-class sports rights also includes the Tour de France, the French Open, exclusive live coverage of horse racing, and the England football team s qualification campaign for the World Cup SCHEDULE You can watch all of England, Ireland and Italy's RBS 6 Nations home matches live on ITV/ITV Hub in The full tournament schedule is as follows (ITV matches in bold): Round 1 Sat 4 Feb - Scotland v Ireland (BBC, 2.25pm kick-off GMT) Sat 4 Feb - England v France (ITV, 4.50pm) Sun 5 Feb - Italy v Wales (ITV, 2pm) Round 2 Sat 11 Feb - Italy v Ireland (ITV, 2.25pm) Sat 11 Feb - Wales v England (BBC, 4.50pm) Sun 12 Feb - France v Scotland (BBC, 3pm) Round 3 Sat 25 Feb - Scotland v Wales (BBC, 2.25pm) Sat 25 Feb - Ireland v France (ITV, 4.50pm) Sun 26 Feb - England v Italy (ITV, 3pm) Round 4 Fri 10 Mar - Wales v Ireland (BBC, 8.05pm) Sat 11 Mar - Italy v France (ITV, 1.30pm) Sat 11 Mar - England v Scotland (ITV, 4pm) Round 5 Sat 18 Mar - Scotland v Italy (BBC, 12.30pm) Sat 18 Mar - France v Wales (BBC, 2.45pm) Sat 18 Mar - Ireland v England (ITV, 5pm)

3 MARK POUGATCH It's hard to look beyond the final game of the whole championship - live on ITV - which will be Ireland v England. Ireland's phenomenal and historic win over the All Blacks and England's triumphant 2016 is the reason they're the two overwhelming favourites - and it could be that all roads lead to Dublin. If so, it could well be Grand Slam winner takes all. Finn Russell had a storming game for Glasgow against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup. I'm looking forward to seeing if he can get his back line moving at Twickenham and Jack Nowell could well be in opposition and desperate to prove himself after missing the autumn internationals. Scotland. They've got three games at home, they're improving all the time and Glasgow have reached the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup. Their first game, at home to Ireland, could set the tone for them in the championship. Hard to look beyond Ireland v England but England v Scotland at Twickenham is always a special occasion. England have such a big pool of players to choose from that they can absorb injuries that much better than their rivals. Wales had such a disappointing autumn that they might feel a change of captain will give them a fresh start ahead of the Six Nations. It's inevitable there's going to be a hugely contentious moment. We're going to have plenty to talk about!

4 LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO I think England are in the box seat with three home games. I m not necessarily assuming they ll win a Grand Slam, I think that s a very difficult thing to do in a Lions year, I think it s going to be a very competitive Six Nations. With the bonus points system when you re playing five games and three of them are at home, they ve got a tough game against Ireland away but I do think they ve got an opportunity to get off to a good start. Even with all the injuries I think they re in a strong position. I always like watching Maro Itoje, I think he s a wonderful player. I m really looking forward to seeing CJ Stander in the Ireland team, Finn Russell in the Scotland team, Carlo Canna for Italy and Justin Tipuric for Wales, I could pick one player from each of those teams. I think Scotland could cause a few problems, Glasgow and Edinburgh are both playing some really decent rugby and I think that if they can transfer some of the way they re playing for their club sides into the Scotland jersey then that opening game for Ireland is no foregone conclusion. So I think Scotland, having played out the match for the wooden spoon last year, could cause a few problems for any side. And can Italy win a game? You d think under Conor O Shea and Mike Catt they ve got one big performance in them, or a few, and could be a big banana skin this year. There s a big gap to bridge but they showed by beating South Africa what they re capable of. The opening game between Scotland and Ireland, just because of the respective form of all the players. Munster and Leinster are playing so well at the moment, as are Glasgow and Edinburgh so I think you ve got two sets of players who absolutely bang in form and the opening game of the tournament is always a real cracker, so I m really looking forward to that. I m involved with all the games on ITV, so it gives me an extra level of excitement. It s hard not to look at the last game of the campaign between Ireland and England, regardless of what happens in the matches before that to go out to Dublin the day after St Patrick s Day, the week of Cheltenham [Festival], with potentially such a big game, is another one that I m looking forward to.

5 The Six Nations is always a big test of your strength in depth anyway, obviously Ireland have had a fantastic Autumn series, the best in their history, beating New Zealand for the first time ever and South Africa and Australia so they go into it in a really good place and their players are playing brilliant rugby and they re bang in form. The same for Scotland, they re in a good place at the moment. Italy, with a new head coach, there are so many different things to think about and you ve just got to get off to a good start, that s the key thing in this tournament, win the first game and then look forward. If you lose your first game and then the doubts set in amongst the supporters and you re under a lot of pressure from the getgo. So it promises to be a fascinating tournament. Alun Wyn Jones has obviously been playing as well for his club as he does for his country, Sam Warburton hasn t had a good run of games because of injury, so it s probably the correct decision to step down and focus on his own form. But they re both brilliant players and I m sure Alun Wyn Jones has got the opportunity to do something he was probably doing anyway - he was probably helping Sam Warburton with the leadership skills and qualities within the team, he just happens to have the captain s armband now. I don t think it ll have huge amounts of effect on what they do, he s a very good player and a very good leader. The thing about the new tackling laws is we all understand why they re being introduced - the head is a no-go area, player safety is absolutely paramount and I think we all agree with that - the problem that may arise is that players may be so worried about going high that they go low and end up injuring themselves as well. What we re seeing now is a lot of tacklers getting concussion because of going low and hitting knees and hips. So we won t really know the full effects of what happens for a couple of years yet but anything that keeps player safety at the heart of the matter and gets people tackling lower is a good thing. Hopefully what we may see is a few more offloads in the game because a lot of tackling has been targeting where the ball is, and hopefully see a game where players are allowed to release out of the tackle a little bit more than they currently do and we ll see a faster, more exciting match. MAGGIE ALPHONSI I think England will win the Six Nations but I feel Ireland will push them close especially with the introduction of the bonus points system. They are 14 games unbeaten and look unstoppable. Eddie Jones has instilled a winning mentality in the players and they have the advantage of having three games at home. They have some key players missing due to injury but the return of Maro Itoje, James Haskell, Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson is a timely boost to the team.

6 I can't see anyone achieving the Grand Slam. I think England will win the Six Nations but it will come down to the last game against Ireland. Based on the current form of Ireland and with the fixture taking place in Dublin on St Patrick's weekend, I feel the advantage is with Ireland and it will be a tough game for England to secure a win. If he gets an opportunity to play, I am looking forward to watching Alex Lozowski. He has been in sensational form for Saracens in his preferred position at fly half. Defensively he punches above his weight and has shown for his club he is capable of attacking from anywhere on the field. My dark horses are Scotland. They had a good autumn series and have been steadily improving since the Rugby World Cup In the Six Nations last year they showed potential but were unable to last the full 80 minutes against the stronger teams. They won't win the Six Nations but I feel they will finish in the top half of the table. England v Ireland, because that could be the Six Nations decider match. Wales v Ireland because of the big rivalry between the two teams. The game is also being played at the Principality Stadium on Friday night so it will be electric. Italy v France, because last year Italy should have beaten France but lacked the composure to finish off the game, with a home advantage it could be a different result. The loss of Billy Vunipola and Chris Robshaw will have an impact on Eddie's backrow selection, but regardless of the injuries England will still remain favourites. I think the change in captaincy will have a positive impact on Wales but I don't think it will improve their chances. The changes to their coaching team will have an impact. No Warren Gatland and the inclusion of Alex King could see a change in the way Wales attack this Six Nations. It will have a big impact. Due to the change in sanction for a high tackle, I think we will see more yellow and red cards be handed out. I also feel there could also be an increase in head injuries because players will have to change the way they tackle to avoid being penalised. The low tackles could mean there is an increase in contact to the head with an opponent s knee.

7 BRIAN O DRISCOLL Ireland, because they are playing with huge confidence after their November series and they play England and France at home. We have two Grand Slams in our history of Six Nations success so to predict a Slam would be jumping the gun. It can be done this year, but I feel it might only be the championship for the eventual winners. I'm looking forward to seeing Jack Nowell play because I think he's in great form having returned from injury and is really exciting to watch with ball in hand. Expect a big Six Nations from Finn Russell too, who has put his hand up as a possible Lions tourist with some brilliant recent displays. France - with an eye on Scotland. First up Le Crunch between England and France should be a belter, and then potentially a Championship decider on St Paddy's Weekend between Ireland and England. A lot of rugby before that, mind. Irrespective of injury woes (which all teams will suffer with) the Six Nations in advance of a Lions tour always adds extra spice. You're obviously playing for your country, but you're also individually playing to attract the eye of Warren Gatland. The best way to get on that plane - win it. The new rules have had a couple of weeks to bed in but there continues to be an element of doubt as to what will be penalised and not. The good thing is the Six Nations will get the best referees in the world where their common sense will hopefully play a big role.

8 SHANE WILLIAMS I think England are the form team and will definitely be the favourites but have to travel to Ireland on the last day and I just don't see Ireland losing that game! Ireland have almost gone under the radar as far as how well they played in the autumn series. I really think it's going to be a tough and competitive 6 Nations and therefore don't see a grand slam!! Scotland should upset a few teams too! I'm a big fan of Stuart Hogg and looking forward to seeing him establish himself as one of the best 15s around at the moment. Especially with Scotland's improvements of late. I also hope that Wales give opportunities to their young uncapped players that have been drafted in. Scotland will definitely be a different animal this year. A good autumn campaign and the form of Glasgow in the Pro 12 and Champions cup will factor. Both Wales home games are going to be interesting as they are against the favourites for the championship! Anything is possible in Cardiff. The game of the championship could be on the last day and could very well be the decider - Ireland v England. I don't really think it will factor at all. England and Ireland have such strength in depth that their first-choice squads are world beaters, as proven again in the autumn series. Sam Warburton needs game time and also taking the pressure and politics of being the captain away from him will help him concentrate on his form and confidence. The new tackling law has already made a huge impact in the domestic game and I can't see it being any different during the Six Nations. Record amount of penalties and cards already been seen. It's not what we want to see but safety for players is paramount. Teams that learn to adapt quickest will benefit. This, with the bonus point system introduced, will make for interesting viewing.

9 SIR IAN McGEECHAN Who do you think will win the Six Nations and why? Do you think any have the potential to win the Grand Slam as England did last year? England are still favourites to win, three home games but two tough away games in Wales and Ireland means they could lose one, so no Grand Slam. They are now playing controlled, confident rugby, although the injury list will challenge them. Who do you think the key players will be this time? Maro Itoje in his second year of International rugby, and he could be in the back row. Finn Russell, the most exciting 10 in the Championship, is now taking control of games and executing under pressure. Conor Murray is the outstanding 9 of the season, leading Ireland s approach. Alun Wyn Jones is the elder statesman now captaining Wales, expect him to define the Welsh approach through his undoubted leadership abilities. Scotland are the dark horses, the best group of players in a decade performing well together under Vern Cotter. Are there any matches which you are particularly looking forward to, and why? First weekend, England v France and Scotland v Ireland, the two front runners could be upset and re-define the Championship, bringing Wales to the fore with both England and Ireland having to travel to Cardiff. Also that last weekend game in Dublin [Ireland v England] could be definitive. Injuries equal opportunities, and Alun Wyn Jones as captain will give Sam Warburton space to get back to his game, which when at its best drives Wales. England s back row problems allow Maro Itoje in and mean further definition of the English pack. The new tackle law should allow the very good players to free up their arms early in contact and bring in off-loading opportunities to support players. This brings higher tempo into attacks, and will link nicely with the positive approach needed to make the most of the new bonus points system.