TV3 has secured the rights to broadcast the Six Nations for four seasons from 2018 to 2021, “following the conclusion of a competitive tender process”.

RTÉ will maintain full rights to the tournament for 2016 and 2017 before handing over to TV3, ending an association with the competition that goes back to the start of televised sport on the national broadcaster.

RTÉ group head of sport and rugby commentator Ryle Nugent described it as “extremely disappointing news for RTÉ” and that they had “put forward the best possible bid within our means, while always mindful of the significant responsibilities attached to spending public funds”.

Although the state broadcaster may bid for November internationals and the 2019 World Cup, they now currently have no international rugby or European club rugby packages, having lost the rights to the Champions Cup back in 2004.

The Six Nations has always been a huge part of RTÉ’s live viewership, with each game averaging over 400,000 people tuning in.

Indeed, Ireland’s Grand Slam decider with Wales in 2009 was the overall top rated programme of the year, pulling in 68 per cent of the total audience as 866,000 viewers watched live coverage.

TV3’s coverage will also include previews, magazine programmes and highlight shows as well as delayed match replays of all matches.

Commenting on the deal, TV3 group director of broadcasting Niall Cogley said: “In the last two months, TV3 has been able to demonstrate its credentials as Ireland’s national commercial broadcaster with a refreshing and comprehensive presentation of all 48 games of Rugby World Cup 2015.

“We are grateful that the Six Nations Unions, the federations and their executive team were sufficiently impressed by our recent work. We very much look forward to presenting rugby’s greatest championship into the foreseeable future and making TV3 the home of rugby in Ireland.”

Six Nations CEO John Feehan also commented on the deal.

“We are delighted to be working with TV3 on developing the interest in the Championship and to ultimately grow this wonderful competition in Ireland. TV3’s coverage of Rugby World Cup was very successful and we believe that they will inject new and exciting ideas in the broadcasting of the Six Nations Championship.”

TV3’s recent World Cup coverage did not go without criticism however, as viewers grew disgruntled with the high volume of advertisements shown, particularly at half-time.

Indeed, during Ireland’s final group game with France the half-time break saw less than three minutes given over to analysis.

RTÉ responded to the announcement by releasing a statement from group head of sport Nugent outlining how “every possible effort” was made to hold on to the live coverage.

“This is extremely disappointing news for RTÉ. We have a long and proud tradition of showcasing the 6 Nations and putting our heart and soul into our coverage.

“We want to assure the Irish public that every possible effort was made by RTÉ to retain these rights. As a public service broadcaster, RTÉ’s ambition has always been, and continues to be, to deliver the best possible viewer experience and to share moments of major national importance.

“We put forward the best possible bid within our means, while always mindful of the significant responsibilities attached to spending public funds.”