By Jason Harris (filed: 17/10/03)
October 17 2003

European Rugby Cup Ltd. (ERC) has confirmed that Sky Sports has been selected as the exclusive broadcaster for all European club rugby for seasons 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 in the United Kingdom. The three-year deal will see Sky televise the Heineken and European Challenge Cups with at least three live games each weekend starting this December. Special highlights programmes will also accompany the flagship live broadcasts.


Derek McGrath of ERC said in a press release on Friday:

"This is great news for the 56 clubs across eight countries who compete in our two
main tournaments and for rugby fans throughout the UK.

"Sky Sports has a massive reputation for its coverage of and commitment to
Rugby Union and ERC is delighted to welcome them on board.

"The number of live games they will broadcast in the Heineken Cup at both
the Pool stage and in the knock-out stage will ensure the tournament
retains its position as the number one club competition in the world game.

"Coming on top of the news announced before last season's Heineken Cup
final in Dublin that Heineken will remain our title sponsors for the next
two years, this deal proves that Europe's pre-eminent club competition
retains its allure and will continue to grow.

"Sky Sports will be with us for at least three years and their high
standards of match presentation and promotion will add something new and
exciting to our product."

Jean-Pierre Lux, Chairman of ERC, added: "This is an exciting year for
rugby with the World Cup taking place in Australia and many of the game's
biggest names will be returning to Europe at the end of November to take
part in the Heineken Cup.

"Sky Sports has demonstrated to us their great enthusiasm for our
tournaments and this new broadcast partnership is set to provide some
wonderful entertainment for rugby fans throughout the UK and Ireland."

As well as Sky's extensive stable of rugby coverage which includes the Zurich Premiership, England's Autumn internationals and southern hemishphere competitions, the satellite broadcaster has also secured rights to the 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand and the home nations' summer tours.

Vic Wakeling, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: "The Heineken Cup will
be even bigger this season, coming so quickly after what should be a
successful World Cup. It is the Champions League of Rugby Union, and we
shall treat it as such in both coverage and promotion. Our commitment is
for at least three live matches per weekend, but when we look at the
fixtures for that first weekend, we find ourselves very tempted to do more."