The future of the Six Nations on the BBC remains in doubt after a record £100 million-a-year price tag was imposed on the competition’s British broadcast rights.
The existing four-year deal, worth £90m per year, expires in March and the tender process will start soon, with interested parties preparing to pitch.
One source described the valuation as “unashamedly expensive” because the competition’s free-to-air status is at stake.
The BBC have publicly stated that they will struggle to fund their long-standing stake, opening the possibility of a joint deal between ITV and TNT Sports.
The leaders of Six Nations, based in Victoria, London, are expected to organize an open process in which all potential rights holders – from traditional broadcasters to streamers – will be invited to bid.
The British broadcast rights to the Six Nations come with a price tag of £100 million a year
This has cast doubt on whether the BBC – whose rugby coverage is often helmed by Gabby Logan – will continue to broadcast the prestigious tournament.
Harlequins line-up Care successor
Harlequins are interested in signing Raffi Quirke as part of their succession planning for life after Danny Care.
The 37-year-old Care is out of contract at the end of the season and has a presentation contract with TNT Sports.
He holds the appearance record for the London club and will release an autobiography next month.
Will Porter is Care’s substitute, while teenager Lucas Friday is a highly-rated academy talent at the club.
But Quirke, who is currently injured, is nearing the end of his contract with Sale and could be an ideal fit at the Stoop.
Harlequins are also believed to be looking to Leicester center Solomone Kata to inject physicality into their backline following the departure of Springbok Andre Esterhuizen last summer.
Danny Care will leave Harlequins when his contract expires at the end of the season
Raffi Quirke (pictured), who has two England caps, is seen as the ideal replacement for Care
Peaty’s visit to Bristol
Tom Bates, the mental skills coach at Bristol Bears, threw a treat this week by inviting Olympic champion swimmer Adam Peaty to a training session.
Peaty showed off one of his Olympic gold medals to the players during a presentation on Monday, before posing for photos with Ellis Genge, among others.
Bates is not the only Olympic sports psychologist working in the Premier League this season.
Oli Dixon coaches the Northampton Saints players and helped Nathan Hales win gold in the men’s trap shooting at Paris 2024.
Adam Peaty visited the Bristol training ground and showed one of his Olympic gold medals to the players
What is The Rock cooking?
Rugby producers at TNT Sports called on Warner Bros’ film department to recruit The Rock for their promotional campaign for the autumn series.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, famous for starring in WWE wrestling and numerous Hollywood films, is featured in the promotions that first aired last week.
TNT Sports is owned by Warner Bros and their broadcast of November’s internationals coincides with the release of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s latest film Red One.
It’s not the first time the sports channel has used internal crossovers, with stars from the Creed III film previously helping to promote its boxing coverage.
The Rock grew up living in Auckland and is the proud owner of an All Blacks jersey.
The Rock has been involved in a promotional campaign for the Autumn Series
Pique dives into Twickenham
Former football superstar Gerard Pique was at Twickenham on Wednesday morning, shortly before Steve Borthwick named his squad for the autumn.
Pique was a keynote speaker at the Leaders Week sports industry conference, alongside MLS commissioner Don Garber and former Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham, among others.
Pique spoke on behalf of sports and entertainment group Kosmos, but he had no involvement with the national rugby team.
Gerard Pique was in Twickenham on Wednesday to give a speech at a sports conference
Preparations for Lions are already in full swing
Andy Farrell is yet to announce his coaching team for next year’s Lions tour, but the touring team has already started appointing support staff.
Jonny Fordham, who covered the 2021 tour of South Africa for the Sun, is one of the first to sign up. The former reporter now works for Premiership Rugby and will oversee media operations in Australia.
Roc Nation celebrates milestone anniversary
Roc Nation Sports International, the agency of American rapper Jay-Z, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this week.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is the standout rugby superstar signed by Roc Nation as the agency celebrates its fifth anniversary this week
Under the leadership of Michael Yormark, their rugby stable has grown significantly since the appointment of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi in 2019.
Marcus Smith, Ardie Savea, Ellis Genge and Maro Itoje are among their superstar clients and Yormark stressed that ‘the best is yet to come’.