EDDIE JONES will not be involved in ITV’s coverage of the Six Nations.
The former England chief, 65, failed to make the cut after the broadcaster made major changes to their punditry line-up.
Jones, who is now in charge of Japan, was drafted in for ITV’s coverage of last year’s tournament.
But the Aussie, along with ex-Scotland internationals Johnnie Beattie and Jim Hamilton, is a shock omission ahead of the Six Nations getting underway on February 5.
Mark Pougatch and Jill Douglas will present the action alongside a roster of 12 analysts.
Iconic World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, Wales legend Dan Biggar and Scotland’s most capped skipper Greig Laidlaw are in the star-studded line-up.
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Ronan O’Gara, Jamie Roberts, John Barclay, Rory Best, Sergio Parisse, Benjamin Kayser, Ugo Monye and Maggie Alphonsi have also been included in the punditry team.
Nick Mullins and Miles Harrison will be on the mic alongside co-commentators David Flatman, Ben Kay, Shane Williams, Scott Hastings, Gordon D’Arcy and Danielle Waterman.
ITV announced a new deal that will see the network become the undisputed home of international rugby.
Every match of the inaugural Nations Championship – which gets underway in July – will be shown by the broadcaster.
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The Summer Nations Series will also be available to watch on ITV and ITVX in the build-up to the World Cup next year, as well as the July Internationals and Autumn Nations Series in 2029.
The rights to show the Six Nations were also retained as part of the agreement.
ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane said: “This is a landmark deal for ITV Sport in securing the future of free-to-air rugby coverage for a UK audience.
“With a minimum of 124 international matches in the coming four years, we look forward to showcasing the very best of global rugby to enable the game to grow.”
France are going into the Six Nations as the defending champions – and they will start the competition by hosting Ireland.
Scotland’s opener will see them heading to Italy, while England and Wales are preparing to go head-to-head at the Allianz Stadium.
