S4C secure a four year deal to show all Wales Six Nations matches live

Wales tie with England on 39 Six Nations titles Credit: PA

S4C has secured a four year deal to show all of Wales' Six Nations matches live on television next year.

The Welsh broadcaster in agreement with the BBC and ITV, the primary rights holders, will be able to show live coverage of the Six Nations for the next four years.

S4C missed out on showing the Autumn International fixtures in November as they were shown on Amazon Prime.

The deal came after it was announced that all three Women's Six Nations fixtures will be shown live on S4C along with the BBC. 

Wales are the current Six Nations title holders Credit: PA

Tom Giffard, Shadow Minister for Sport said he was "delighted" with the news.

He said: “Rugby is our national sport and thousands of people up and down the country enjoy nothing more than watching the Six Nations tournament every year.

"It was disappointing for some that the autumn internationals moved behind a paywall this year, I am delighted to see Wales’ Six Nations matches will be shown for free on S4C.

“Fans across Wales – myself included – will be very grateful that we can continue to watch Wales, hopefully on the road to victory, on terrestrial TV.”

Alongside the senior men's team, S4C will also show live matches from both the women's and under 20s fixtures.

Wales are the current Six Nations champions and will kick off their title defence in Dublin against Ireland in February.

They will then face Scotland at home, before travelling to Twickenham to face England with a further two home matches against France and Italy.

Welsh fans can look forward to rugby returning to terrestrial television Credit: PA

WRU CEO Steve Phillips added: “The provision of Welsh language broadcasting is a vital part of our strategy for the whole game in Wales and we warmly welcome this news from S4C.

“S4C play an integral part in supporting Welsh rugby from our club game, to our professional sides, our pathway teams and both our men’s and women’s international sides and we are very grateful for their continued backing in all of these areas.”

Wales Fixtures

February 5th: Ireland v Wales at the Aviva Stadium. Kick off - 2.15pm

February 12: Wales v Scotland at the Principality Stadium. Kick off -2.15pm

February 26th: England v Wales at Twickenham. Kick off - 4.45pm

March 11th: Wales v France at the Principality Stadium. Kick off - 8.00pm

March 19th: Wales v Italy at the Principality Stadium. Kick off - 2.15pm