Move up the frequency range and the steps up in articulation and clarity are striking. Voices come through with greater subtlety, and it’s easier to hear changes in intonation and phrasing. The Series 2 offers a clearer view of the recording and sounds more balanced overall. There is an awful lot at stake for all concerned. The so-called “seamless” game, linking both ends of the English rugby pyramid, has never felt more precarious. The Premiership, currently with no relegation and due to expand to 14 sides next season, is a good competition but money is tighter than ever. No one wants to be demoted to the Championship where such losses will be magnified. But the Championship also has to mean something, both in terms of player development and in its own right. Ultimately it needs to be a league for good players to aspire to and for sponsors to embrace. And which sees ambition rewarded. The challenge for the RFU, as ever, is to square that vexed circle and find a collective vision that works for everyone. Coverage begins on the BBC as Wales face Ireland in the opening game of the tournament, with Gabby Logan presenting live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Ideally, you should place the speakers at least 50cm into the room and well away from side walls if possible. Use the bungs only if you have to, because things sound less natural and fluid with them inserted into the speakers. A slight angling towards the listening position helps to firm up the stereo image. The opening game between Wales and Ireland will be live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 4 February. Other live games on BBC television include Scotland v Wales (11 February) and the mammoth clash between Wales and England (25 February). All Scotland games will be live on BBC Radio Scotland Extra on BBC Sounds, on BBC Radio Scotland 810 MW. BBC Television Six Nations Schedule Live commentary of all of Wales’ matches during the Six Nations will be on both BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, as well as live coverage of Wales’ games against Ireland, Scotland and England on BBC One Wales.On BBC One Wales, Gabby Logan and Gareth Thomas return with the fifth series of Six Nations Sin Bin, aimed to enthuse, excite and build up the hype ahead of each Six Nations weekend. BBC Sport also has live coverage on its digital platforms of every single game of the Under-20 Six Nations and will broadcast every game of the Women's Six Nations alongside BBC TV when it begins on 25 March. Additional Programming We are pleased to confirm that 7️⃣ Academy players will link up with @HartpuryRFC for their 2021-22 @Champrugby campaign.

Ahead of every round, BBC Sports News will also preview the weekend’s action in their Friday Sportsday programme (18:30 on the BBC News Channel). BBC Wales Rugby Union legends Martin Johnson, Sam Warburton, John Barclay and Tommy Bowe will provide studio insight and analysisThe original 606 are fine speakers, but this new version is obviously better across the board. Considering the relatively minor engineering changes that’s a real surprise – but a thoroughly pleasant one. Placing fifth last season, Rowland Winter has kept his squad largely the same for the upcoming campaign. Scrum-half Joe Snow has been recruited on a full-time basis from Exeter Chiefs, while Sam Aspland-Robinson will also be staying at Butts Park, again as a loan player from Leicester Tigers, and Tom Griffiths has signed on loan from Dragons. Bill Johnston joins the club on a full-time basis after being loaned to the London-based club from Ulster in 2021.

With the likes of Craig Hampson, Craig Willis, Will Davis, Simon Uzokwe, Bobby de Wee and Rayn Smid all remaining at Vallis Way, it certainly seems like now or never for Ealing in their hunt for promotion.With relegation from the Premiership to the second division halted and National League Rugby suspended last season, there will be 11 teams competing in the Championship in the 2021-22 season, meaning that each week one club will not be competing. Andrew Cotter will lead on TV commentary throughout the tournament and will be joined by co-commentators Jonathan Davies and Chris Paterson. For radio, commentary will be led by BBC’s Rugby Union Correspondent Chris Jones and Sara Orchard.