Jonathan "Jiffy" Davies has announced he will step down from his rugby broadcasting and punditry duties with the BBC following the 2027 Six Nations, ending a near 30-year association with the corporation.
The former dual-code star, aged 64, has become the latest high-profile name to confirm his exit from the broadcaster. His departure is on his own terms, as he confirmed in an interview with The Telegraph.
A Career Spanning Union and League
Davies made his Wales debut in 1985 and was a key figure in their 1988 Triple Crown triumph. A year later, he switched codes to join Widnes in rugby league, where he claimed the 1989 World Club Challenge.
He later shone for Warrington, winning a Man of Steel award in 1994 and captaining both Wales and Great Britain in the 13-man game. He returned to union to finish his playing career with Cardiff RFC, earning 37 union caps for Wales and captaining his nation in both codes.
Move to Broadcasting
In 1997, the BBC brought Davies into the commentary box and studio, where he has remained ever since. He covers both rugby union and rugby league for the BBC in English and Welsh, and has hosted the Welsh-language rugby chat show Jonathan on S4C since 2004.
Confirming the upcoming Six Nations in spring 2027 will be his final outing, Davies said: "I have honestly not been told to head towards that door. This is my decision. I am rubbish with facts and stats, but I've been doing the Six Nations since it was Five and have enjoyed the ride. It's the moment to get out of the chair."
Honours and Charity Work
Davies has raised funds for Cardiff's Velindre Cancer Centre over several decades through sponsored bike rides, treks and numerous events, after losing his first wife, Karen, to cancer in 1997.
He was awarded an MBE for services to rugby league in 1995, elevated to OBE in 2015 for charitable services to people with cancer, and promoted to CBE in this year's New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and to people with cancer.
Reflecting on his honours, he said: "The first meant a lot, but obviously the last two are more important. Those honours were for the whole team at Velindre who are fantastic and helped my family no end."
Davies added: "You look at someone like Sir Kev [Sinfield] and everything he's done for MND since his mate Rob [Burrow] was diagnosed with it and died and it humbles you. I've lost a few guys I played with to MND and it is worrying. But rugby, whichever code, always comes together and that's what I love about sport. It's given me so much, but yes, it is time to hang the mic up next to those boots."
