In an interview with Andrew Mangan of arseblog fame, Ryle Nugent spoke about his rationale for dropping John Giles from the panel for last summer's Scotland game in favour of Richie Sadlier.
My job is to make sure that we are planned for the future. I also firmly believe that the audience, subconsciously, doesn't like change... All the research would show it's (better to have) gradual rather than absolute change.
His words have special relevance in light of the public's reaction to TV3's sport coverage. While the ads were an annoyance, much of the hostility can be traced to the public's instinctive hostility to anything new or unfamiliar.
The news came through today that, from 2018 to 2021 (at the very least), Ryle will not be in the commentary booth for Ireland's Six Nations campaign.
RTE rarely get this kind of love under normal circumstances.
I have yet to find a positive comment about @TV3Ireland winning the rights for the Six Nations. Coverage over the #RWC2015 was shocking.
— James Greene (@JamesGreeneRFC) November 11, 2015
So are TV3 showing the Six Nations or are they showing a series of ads with a bit of Six Nations thrown in? — Jonathan Fitzpatrick (@jfitz92) November 11, 2015
Ugh. #TV3 's dreary presenters,panelists & shite set were almost too much to bear this summer. Not #6Nations too. https://t.co/CEhIen96K1
— Lynda (@Who_Moi) November 11, 2015
@RTEsport will ye just pay wat they wnt for the Six nations rights? Have to suffer through @TV3Ireland coverage again. #torture #SixNations — David Whelan (@DavidWhelan1) November 11, 2015
TV3 getting the six nations will be a disaster #adbreakheaven
— Karl Preston (@KarlPreston7) November 11, 2015
TV3 has won coverage of 6N for 2018-21. I'll be watching as long as they stop going for ads between the anthems & k.o, otherwise ITV it is. — Oonagh Kerr (@Rrek_Oonagh) November 11, 2015
Wonderful - Six Nations Ads coming to @TV3Ireland Hopefully will be more speckled with #rugby than #RWC was! https://t.co/c9hfjy9sS2 — Ailish Lally (@AilishLally) November 11, 2015
@IrishRugby @TV3Ireland @rbs_6_nations What an absolute travesty. My genuine favorite time of year ruined by TV3 substandard coverage. — Peter Keating (@PeterKeating2) November 11, 2015
Doubt surrounding the Olympics, no Six Nations, no Premier League, GAA critical of coverage - what live sport will RTE show in the 2020's? — Colin O'Hanlon (@ColinOHanlon) November 11, 2015
Some intrepid souls have tried to provide some balance to the discussion.
To people moaning about the ads on TV3 for the RWC, all markets had the breaks. At least the Irish taxpayer didn't pay for coverage!
— Jarrod Bromley (@jarrodbromley) November 11, 2015
Cue the complaints over TV3's ad policy. But if I never have to listen to Hook or McGuirk again it'll be worth it. #IrishRugby — Shane O Leary (@shaneoleary1) November 11, 2015
