Channel 4 Secures Deal For European Rugby

Channel 4 has announced it has secured a four year deal to broadcast nine live matches of The Champions Cup, the pinnacle of European Club Rugby Union, each season until 2022.

Starting from this October, Channel 4 will broadcast one match from each of the six pool stages, one quarter final, a semi-final and the final after agreeing a four year deal with European Professional Club Rugby, the organiser of the competition.

This October will see the top clubs from each of the three professional domestic European leagues qualify, all from countries which participate in the Six Nations Championship. Clubs featuring in this prestigious tournament includes the likes of Saracens, Leinster, Bath, Scarlets, Toulon, Clermont, Exeter Chiefs, Glasgow, Munster and Montpelier.

Stephen Lyle, Channel 4 Sports Commissioning Editor, said: "We're thrilled to be bringing top class rugby to Channel 4. The Champions Cup is one of the most prestigious rugby union tournaments featuring many of the best players in the world and I'm sure viewers will be delighted to see it returning to free to air television."

EPCR Marketing and Commercial Director, Carsten Couchouron, added: "To have live Champions Cup rugby on Channel 4 will take the outstanding rugby experiences to more fans so we are delighted to increase our coverage through this partnership. Channel 4 has an exciting sports portfolio and we are delighted to add to that as part of our enhanced broadcast platforms in the United Kingdom."

The battle to be crowned Champions of Europe begins in October and Channel 4 will bring live coverage of the drama round by round up to and including the final which will be held in Newcastle in May.

(MH)