No, they're not alternate weekends. They'll each have at least one game per round, plus both will want their coverage to have it's own identity. That said though it'll be interesting to see if they take each others commentary for the highlights.
Be interesting to see if ITV Wales, UTV, and STV decide on their own presentation for live games in Ireland, England and Italy involving their own countries. Even then, would they also go as far as to have their own commentators as well? STV haven't covered the Pro 12 for a couple of years, and even then, sometimes used BBC Wales commentary in their highlights. ITV Wales haven't really covered Rugby Union with their own presenters and commentators since The Front Row ended in 2001, and I'm not sure if UTV have done any Rugby Union on its own/
Be interesting to see if ITV Wales, UTV, and STV decide on their own presentation for live games in Ireland, England and Italy involving their own countries. Even then, would they also go as far as to have their own commentators as well?
I doubt it - the BBC haven't for years. They could though take advantage of the access and highlights rights to produce additional programming - an easy way to fill some local hours.
The difference is ITV have the funds free to prop up the BBC - I very much doubt the same can be said vice versa, although with the 2019 tournament in Japan I suspect ITV wouldn't object to sharing the rights considering the early morning kick-offs.
Be interesting to see if ITV Wales, UTV, and STV decide on their own presentation for live games in Ireland, England and Italy involving their own countries.
The last time I remember HTV Wales doing Wales-orientated presentation for an international tournament was during the 1999 Rugby World Cup which was hosted by Cardiff. I may be wrong though.
My thoughts on the Rugby World Cup come from the fact that, as it stands, only the final needs to be shown live on FTA. So, a joint ITV/BBC bid would be a possibility I think.