England captain Itoje begs Six Nations chiefs not to sell soul as Gabby Logan slams rugby for ‘shooting itself in foot’

NEW England captain Maro Itoje has pleaded with Six Nations bosses not to sell out the soul of the game for cash.

This season’s tournament marks the end of the current broadcasting deal with BBC and ITV.

Six Nations chiefs are ready to deal a new deal with a Pay-TV broadcaster, meaning the tournament would be off free to air screens for the first time in its history.

But ahead of his England captaincy debut against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon, Red Rose skipper Itoje urged tournament organisers to put history and the good of the game ahead of money.

Itoje said: “The Six Nations should stay on free to air TV.

“The Six Nations should be viewed by as many people as possible.

“I grew up watching the Six Nations on the BBC and on ITV.

“The fact that it’s been on free-to-air, for so many people – I think rugby needs more eyes on it, not less.”

Itoje added: “Obviously I am not involved in the finances of the deals.

“But even though international rugby is massive, the sport should be looking at ways to be more accessible to more people, as opposed to the opposite.”

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BBC and ITV paid £90m per year for their current deal, with broadcasting insiders suggesting Six Nations bosses are being tempted by an offer from TNT Sports worth only £10m more per tournament.

BBC presenter Gabby Logan unsurprisingly backed the Itoje view, pondering: “Is this rugby union shooting itself in the foot again?”

Logan added: “We’re talking about people who don’t watch rugby all the time.

“That neutral fan, who doesn’t really know rugby, they’re not necessarily going to bother to buy TNT or wherever the sport takes the Six Nations.

“If the Six Nations goes behind a paywall, those people enjoying these massive occasions and enjoying the combat and the rivalry will be completely lost.”

Itoje, meanwhile, has backed his side to upset the oddsmakers and land an opening weekend shock.

England are 5-2 outsiders, with statistics gurus Opta giving them only a TWO per cent chance of winning the title.

Itoje scoffed: “That’s funny!

“When people write you off, it always gets the juices flowing a little bit.

“It always gives you a little bit of extra motivation and a bit more anticipation for what you can do and what you can achieve.”