Premier Sports prepares for PRO14 season with line-up of Welsh rugby stars
Premier Sports, the new home of the Guinness PRO14, has announced a stellar line-up of rugby names to join its broadcast team in Wales for the new season of rugby action.
Just a fortnight after announcing it had awarded its multi-million pound production contract to experienced independent TV sports producer Sunset+Vine, Premier Sports has unveiled eight of Welsh Rugby’s most popular rugby experts for their coverage.
Shane Williams will be joining the Premier Sports team to feature some of Welsh professional rugby’s most exciting encounters of the 2018/19 Guinness PRO14 season which kicks off in just over two weeks.
And after announcing his retirement from the game in July, with an illustrious career that includes 74 caps for his country with a record 49 as captain, Sam Warburton will be joining Premier Sports as a guest for some of the biggest fixtures during the season, including the Welsh Derbies and the season opener between Cardiff Blues and Leinster on Friday 31st August at Cardiff Arms Park.
Premier Sports talent team for Wales includes a very experienced and popular line-up of Welsh Rugby presenters, reporters and commentators to bring the best match coverage to Welsh rugby supporters and includes: Martyn Williams, Eddie Butler, Ross Harries, Sean Holley, Wyn Gruffydd and Lauren Jenkins.
The line-up in Wales will be joining Northern Ireland’s team of Andrew Trimble, Mark Robson and Graham Little announced last week with more high-profile names to be announced for TV teams in Scotland next.
Eddie Butler said: “The game moves forward and coverage of the game moves forward. It’s a real thrill to be involved in this new chapter with Premier. The Guinness PRO14 is a true spearhead of the game in Europe and South Africa, never afraid to embrace new challenges, cross new boundaries and put on a show.”
The team will be working with Sunset+Vine, part of the Tinopolis Group (headquarters in Wales), one of rugby’s most experienced and creative independent production companies with a track record that includes seven years of Aviva Premiership coverage with both ESPN and for the past four years, BT Sport. Sunset+Vine’s three-year deal will see them produce more than 200 hours of live rugby coverage for Premier Sports each season including the annual showpiece final at Celtic Park in May 2019.
Premier Sports has signed a landmark three-year deal with PRO14 Rugby to show all 152 games live each season across the UK including Northern Ireland. The season kicks off on 31 August with all seven games live on Premier Sports and Free Sports on the opening weekend.