Sky to boost rugby roster from 2014

Just as terrestrial TV stalwart the 6 Nations got underway, satellite broadcaster Sky Sports announced that it has won three new contracts to cover live rugby union from next year. Matches involving Ireland, France and Italy will more than double Sky’s roster starting in 2014.

The new four-year deals cover Ireland’s Guinness Series, as well as the respective Autumn Internationals of France and Italy. These games join England’s QBE Internationals in Sky Sports’ rugby union line-up.

“Our rugby union schedule has never been stronger and only on Sky Sports can viewers now enjoy such a great line-up of live Autumn Internationals,” says Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports. “With European teams taking on the finest southern hemisphere opposition each November, these matches make for fascinating viewing. Add these agreements to our year-round coverage of rugby union, including the British & Irish Lions and Heineken Cup, and Sky Sports continues as the home of televised rugby union.”

Philip Browne, chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), comments: “Sky Sports has built a reputation as one of the top broadcasters of rugby over the last ten years and is synonymous with the professional game at both provincial and international levels. The IRFU is delighted to be able to announce this partnership and believes that the quality of Sky Sports’ coverage of our November internationals will be a wonderful platform for Irish rugby.”

As well as Sky Sports in the home and pub, viewers are able to watch coverage on mobile devices through Sky Go, available on a range of mobile devices. Rugby union news and results are also available on Sky Sports News HD and skysports.com.