Amazon and Channel 4 to show Autumn Nations Cup rugby tournament

Streaming giant has UK exclusivity for the lions share of matches but Channel 4 to show Ireland games

Amazon has picked up the live UK television rights to the Autumn Nations Cup, a new international rugby union tournament that has been developed to fill the gap in the schedules caused by the COVID-related cancellation of international rugby tours.

The streaming service provider will exclusively show 13 of the 16 matches in the competition, which will feature England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy plus Georgia and Fiji, on Prime Video with Ireland’s three games being broadcast by Channel 4.

Prime Video will also co-broadcast the England v Ireland fixture, played at Twickenham alongside Channel 4.

The tournament will be played across four weekends with Prime Video coverage fronted by Gabby Logan and Bryan Habana.

Sunset+Vine will produce the coverage, SVG Europe understands.

Alex Green, managing director of Prime Video Sport Europe said: “It is a unique event bringing a new level of competitiveness to Autumn international rugby and will offer something back to all the fans who have missed top-level rugby. We will be offering mouth-watering clashes featuring the top international teams in the Northern Hemisphere exclusively to UK Prime members at no additional charge to their membership.”

Channel 4’s head of sport Pete Andrews added: “We’re delighted to have teamed up with Amazon to bring rugby fans this fantastic tournament. It’s thrilling to be offering first-class live international rugby on Channel 4 and it’s great to be launching the tournament live on a Friday night with Ireland v Wales. The England Ireland match-up the following week is a mouth-watering prospect live on Channel 4.”