Maro Itoje makes a plea for the six nations to remain on free television while preparing for the crash of Ireland in the first game since the captain of England was appointed

Maro Itoje announced himself as the new captain of England with a dominant supplication of keeping the six nations on free television.

The Tournament's Transmission Agreement with the BBC and ITV is in renewal and the Rugby Premium event could soon move behind a payment wall.

However, speaking before Saturday's opening test against Ireland, Itoje declared challenging the need for the tournament to remain visible to the nation.

“I think the six nations should be seen by as many people as possible,” said Itje. 'I grew up seeing the six nations in the BBC and it in ITV. The fact that it has been in the outdoors, for so many people, I think the rugby needs more eyes on it, no less.

“Obviously I am not involved in the finances of the agreements, but I think that, although the international rugby is massive, sport should be looking for ways of being more accessible to more people, instead otherwise.”

England arrived in Dublin as helpless and the vicecapitan of Itoje, Ellis Genge, wants the team to deliver a performance to be proud.

The captain of England, Maro Itjeje, has made a please so that the six nations remain on free television

The Tournament's Transmission Agreement with the BBC and ITV is ready for renewal, in the photo: former England captain Jonny Wilkinson working for ITV

England will begin its six -nations campaign on Saturday against Ireland, in the photo: the 2024 SIDES clash

“Everyone has their opinions,” Gege said. 'Some people like the way I play, others don't. Some people like the way they play Ben Earl and Maro, the screams and all that, some people do not. It does not depend on us to lose sleep about what they like on the complexities of our personalities.

'One thing I know, you can really feel fans when we are putting everything in the game, whether we are winning or losing. If they see us fighting for every centimeter and disguising the field, you can really feel that they get behind us.

'Even in autumn, when we lost some teams very closely, you see messages that give thanks for fighting the teeth and nails. I think it is an English feature, fighting for the remains and never saying Die, but ultimately we want to win games, so we hope we can do that for them. '