rugby balls

ITV has agreed a new two-year deal with Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup tournament organisers, ERC, to broadcast highlights of Europe’s two premier club rugby union competitions.

ITV4 will broadcast a comprehensive hour-long highlights show on Monday evenings – beginning this Monday 11 October at 6.00pm with all the action from the first round weekend.

Craig Doyle will present coverage alongside a range of guest analysts, with the full programme available for catch-up on the ITV Player at ITV.com.

The Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup highlights are the latest additions to ITV4’s portfolio which includes highlights of rugby’s Aviva Premiership, live UEFA Europa League, the Tour de France, Grand Slam Darts and the upcoming launch of Power Snooker.

ITV also announced in July that it had secured the UK broadcast rights to the 2011 and 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup tournaments.

ITV4 is available free-to-air on all digital platforms including Freesat, Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.

Niall Sloane, ITV Controller of Sport said: “The Heineken Cup is one of the biggest events in world club rugby and we’re delighted to have agreed this new deal with the ERC to bring these two tournaments to ITV4 viewers.”

Derek McGrath, ERC chief executive, said: “We are pleased to be entering into a new relationship with a major broadcast player in the UK market.

“This deal will enhance UK coverage of both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup as our tournaments continue to go from strength to strength”