Rugby news: Scotland match attracted bigger TV audience than Champions League final

Scotland Six Nations match is French TV blockbuster

The France v Scotland Six Nations decider is on course to be the most watched television programme in France in 2025.

French media reports say that 9,822,000 viewers tuned in to watch the team's 35-16 victory over Gregor Townsend’s side at the Stade de France. The result meant France won the Six Nations Championship.

This match was broadcast free-to-air on the France 2 channel and attracted more viewers than the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale which had a TV audience of 8,756,000. PSG thrashed Inter 5-0 to win the Champions League for the first time, becoming only the second French side to lift the trophy, after Marseille in 1993.

France’s Six Nations match with England also featured on the list of the ten most-watched TV programmes of the year in France. The game at Twickenham, which England won 26-25, was ranked fourth, attracting 8,106,000 viewers.

Nigel Carolan to lead Scotland A team

An ‘A’ international has been announced between Italy and Scotland which will take place the day before the main teams meet in the Six Nations Championship in Rome.

Scotland A will take on the Italians at Stadio Centro D’italia in Rieti on Friday, February 6, with the kick-off time still to be confirmed.

The Scottish team will be led by head coach Nigel Carolan who is attack coach at Glasgow Warriors. He will be assisted by fellow Glasgow Warriors assistant Scott Forrest and Edinburgh assistant Stevie Lawrie.

Carolan takes over from Pete Horne who led Scotland A to a win over Chile last November in Edinburgh.

David Nucifora, Scottish Rugby’s performance director, said: “Scotland A matches offer an opportunity for young players to get a taste for international rugby and also provide game time for players on the fringes of the national squad.

“Nigel Carolan is the perfect fit to lead the team this time around given his experience with Glasgow and the knowledge he has of the players.”

The A match against the Italy XV will take place on the same night as Scotland Under-20 open their U20 Six Nations campaign against the young Italians in Treviso.

Franchise model for English Prem

English rugby is considering a franchise model for its top flight which could see no relegation for at least five years.

According to a report in the Guardian, Prem Rugby has received formal approval from the Rugby Football Union to become a closed franchise league which could happen as early as next year.

Prem Rugby is now planning to launch a tender process to secure external investment in the competition.

There has been no relegation in recent seasons in the Premiership which has experienced severe financial turbulence, with three clubs - Wasps, London Irish and Worcester Warriors - going under.

Guaranteeing clubs’ top-flight status is said to be crucial to the tender process because it brings more certainty for investors. It mirrors the American model across their major sports leagues but would come as a blow to ambitious clubs in the English second tier, the Rugby Champ.