England v Australia: who's commentating and where to watch

The Nations Championship of England v Australia takes place on Saturday, 8 November 2026, with the main kick-off due around 15:10 UK time. Coverage runs across several channels, anchored by the BBC's Radio 5 Live feed and ITV's broadcast lineup, so readers can follow the shift through whichever platform they prefer.

The BBC Radio 5 Live channel is fronted by reporter Chris Jones, who doubles as the main commentator, alongside co-commentator Paul Grayson. On the supporting line-up, reporter Sara Orchard provides on-the-ground updates, while Paul Grayson also serves as pundit on the BBC side.

The same three voices carry the BBC's audio coverage, which is broadcast across BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online. Here Chris Jones headlines as main commentator with Paul Grayson co-commentating, keeping the BBC shift consistent across every platform.

ITV's lineup

On ITV's channels, including ITV 1, ITV HD, ITV X, STV Player and STV Scotland, the presenter is Mark Pougatch. He fronts the main commentary with Nick Mullins as main commentator, joined by co-commentators Ben Kay and David Flatman. The ITV shift is completed by pundits Ugo Monye and George Gregan, with reporter Topsy Ojo supplying updates.

Background on the key voices

Mark Pougatch is Mark Charles Adam Pougatch, born 27 January 1968, an English radio and television broadcaster, journalist and author. He is a long-standing figure in sports coverage, with 25 years on BBC Radio 5 Live including 16 years as Sports Report presenter, and now fronts ITV's major football and rugby events. His work has been extended through 2028, and he has presented everything from BT Sport Score to the big international tournaments.

Nick Mullins is described as the modern-day voice of rugby, guiding listeners through BT Sport's coverage and ITV's coverage week in, week out. He is a familiar presence across the major broadcast shifts, and he headlines this ITV England v Australia commentary alongside Mark Pougatch.

Chris Jones is a rugby union commentator who has fronted BBC Radio 5 Live shifts for years, and he is the main commentator on both the live and audio channels here. He is also part of the "Rugby Union Weekly" podcast, alongside Ugo Monye and Danny Care, a programme that has featured conversations with figures such as former Scotland captain Lisa Martin.

Paul Grayson is a member of the Northampton Saints, and has been a long-standing presence on BBC Radio 5 Live. He and Chris Jones have shared many shifts together, with Chris Jones once calling Paul Grayson his "old mate" ahead of another classic Euro event.

Sara Orchard is a regular BBC Radio 5 Live reporter, often appearing on the audio channels and in the "Rugby Union Weekly" podcast, where she has spoken to some of the biggest names in women's rugby.

Where to watch

The BBC shift is available on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online. The ITV shift is available on ITV 1, ITV HD, ITV X, STV Player and STV Scotland. For background on one of the commentators, Paul Grayson's Wikipedia page is a useful reference.

Paul Grayson (rugby union) - Wikipedia

Article generated: 8 November 2026, 15:23 GMT