Six Nations Rugby broadcasting rights

That this House notes press reports that rugby union's Six Nations tournament could be put behind a TV pay wall after decades on free to air public broadcasting services; believes the annual tournament should be placed in the Government's Category A of sporting events which must be made available live on free-to-air platforms; recognises that the Six Nations, which began in 1883 as the Home Nations, is one of the oldest and most historic sports tournaments in the world with a special place in the sporting and social culture of Ireland, Scotland, England and particularly Wales; notes the large TV audiences which this year's tournament has already attracted on terrestrial TV with a peak of seven million viewers watching the opening weekend's fixtures accounting for an audience share of 41 per cent; considers the generations of young people who have been inspired to take up the sport after watching the tournament on terrestrial television; and calls on all interested parties to ensure that the Six Nations remains on free to air TV.