Irish viewers frustrated as ITV 1 cuts away from Six Nations trophy lift

Rory Fleming

The broadcaster has faced backlash from Irish viewers online.

ITV has received a wave of criticism on social media following their decision to cut away from the live feed of Ireland’s historic Grand Slam win just prior to the trophy lift.

A Johnny Sexton-led Irish team claimed just their fourth-ever Grand Slam title, and first ever on home soil, as they put a weary England side to the sword in Dublin.

Captain Johnny Sexton finished his Six Nations career with a second Grand Slam. (Credit: Getty Images)

Irish viewers frustrated as ITV 1 cuts away from Six Nations trophy lift.

England took a surprise lead in the opening quarter before a controversial red card halted their momentum. Ireland eventually eased to a comfortable 29-16 victory.

Despite Steve Borthwick’s England side’s magnanimous post-match behaviour, in which the English players stayed on the field to witness their Irish counterparts lift the Six Nations trophy, the coverage by UK broadcaster ITV left a lot to be desired.

As the Ireland squad were lining up to receive their medals and hoist aloft their twinned achievements of a Grand Slam and a Triple Crown, the channel jumped off the main broadcast to show Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV1.

ITV cut the live feed moments before Ireland’s historic trophy lift. (Credit: Getty Images)

The broadcaster did at least swap their post-match coverage over to ITV 4, with the trophy lift being shown on the lesser available station. However, the damage was already done.

Irish viewers who were eagerly awaiting what was a first-ever Grand Slam trophy lift on home soil, took to social media to voice their anger with the broadcaster.

One viewer pointed out the hypocrisy of the channel, tweeting that “I bet if England were lifting the Grand Slam, ITV wouldn’t move the trophy presentation over to ITV4”.

I bet if England were lifting the Grand Slam, ITV wouldn't move the trophy presentation over to ITV4.

— James Myles (@IrishRedDevil76) March 18, 2023

Another viewer wrote “Cannot believe ITV cut out for Saturday night take away during the trophy ceremony of the Six Nations. Absolutely poor planning. Not the send-off Johnny Sexton deserved by a channel about to host the Rugby World Cup”.

Sky News reporter Matthew Thompson also took to Twitter to air his grievances with the British broadcaster, asking how ITV decided to leave the live shot of Ireland’s coronation ceremony as Six Nations champions.

I’m sorry. But please, please tell me ITV haven’t just cut away from the Six Nations trophy presentation to Ant & Bloody Dec.

— Matthew Thompson (@mattuthompson) March 18, 2023

Whether ITV broadcast the trophy lift or not will be of little concern to Andy Farrell and his Irish side though, as they solidified their place atop of the world rugby rankings.

Attention will now quickly shift to the autumn World Cup, with Johnny Sexton hoping to lead Ireland where they have never gone before, and break their quarter-final curse.

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