Putting the Six Nations behind a pay wall would damage Welsh rugby and stop fans being able to watch their heroes, politicians have claimed.

A deal with the BBC to live broadcast the championship is due finish at the end of the 2017 when rival broadcasters could bid for rights to cover the event.

The Six Nations, alongside cricket tests and the Open Championship, is a Category B event in the listed events code, meaning it can be shown on pay-TV so long as highlights are shown later.

The UK government currently has no plans to review the list of protected sporting events.

Now cross party Welsh politicians have expressed fears putting the Six Nations behind a pay wall would damage the sport at both a professional and grassroots level.

More than 5,000 people have already signed a Welsh Liberal Democrat petition to keep the championship free-to-air while Deputy Minister for culture, sport and tourism Ken Skates has written to culture secretary John Whittingdale, calling for the tournament to remain on terrestrial TV.

Mr Skates said rugby’s future could be damaged if fewer young people had access to matches on pay-TV, as children wouldn’t see their heroes and be inspired.

The AM for Clwyd South said: “It’s important for the UK Government to recognise that rugby in Wales along with football are the two national games.

“The ball is firmly in the court of the UK Government and we will be pressing them to do the right thing.”

Liberal Democrat AM for North Wales Aled Roberts said: “We are determined to fight tooth and nail to keep it on free-to-air television.”

Mohammad Asghar AM, Conservative spokesman for sport, said any moves to place the Six Nations behind a pay wall would be “hugely disappointing”.

He said: “In Wales, we all know that the Six Nations is a huge TV event, and not being able to watch it as the action takes place would be a hammer blow for thousands and reduce the game’s exposure to a new generation.”