If you were watching the Ireland v Italy Six Nations clash on TV3, you made the right choice.
While BBC provided the alternative coverage for the tournament opener against France, ITV were in charge of showing the second game against Italy.
This was a bad thing for rugby folk, who expect a certain standard of commentary. This is the premier international tournament in the Northern Hemisphere, they want the analysis to reflect that. Unfortunately, the majority felt that ITV’s effort on Saturday fell well short of the mark.
At first glance, it appeared as though the complaints were a tad overblown. Some fans took issue with the number of ads, something that BBC’s coverage doesn’t have. Others simply found the presenter’s voice annoying.
https://twitter.com/McCawMatthew/status/962330055052615681
However…
Oh god the ITV commentary. #IREvITA
— Kate Shaw (@kes1981) February 10, 2018
the backlash…
This game has only been going 22 seconds and I already want to punch the commentator. Where do @ITV get these idiots from?! #SixNations
— Damian Powell (@thedamianpowell) February 10, 2018
…just kept piling up! When there are so many complaints, surely it’s not the viewers who are wrong.
When the @ITV commentary team don't know the players names:
"Brilliant pass from the big fellas in green"#IREvITA #SixNations #SixNations2018
— Gareth Tancred (@GTancred) February 10, 2018
Who is the appalling commentator on #ITV? #IREvITA
— Dermot Keaney #FBPE #RejoinEU #PA (@dermot110) February 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/johnfitzp1967/status/962330555760218112
@ITV seriously who is this guy commentating on #IREvITA ??? Noooooo – Please is there anyone else to commentate??? Not good to listen to – please can you do better? 😩😩😩😩
— Jeni Jones (@jenijones40) February 10, 2018
OK @ITVSport The Italian fullback is short, we get it. #IRLvITA
— Blood & Mud Rugby Podcast (@bloodandmud) February 10, 2018
Oh dear!
