How is the 6N owned by the taxpayer? Its a competition ruled over by an independent committee, the six nations committee. Its broadcasted by the BBC which is given rights to do so, which is in turn owned by the taxpayer. But again its not a competition set up by the UK government, its a competition played with competitors from four different governments in Ireland, the UK, Italy and France.
The taxpayers (through the government) are merely the shareholders. Decisions on advertising (which is essentially what a sponsership is) are made by the executives appointed by the Board of Directors. No different than any other publically traded company.
