Ireland, France and Italy International Rugby Live with Sky Sports

31 January 2013

Ireland, France and Italy International Rugby Live with Sky Sports

Sky Sports has been awarded three new deals for live rugby union, more than doubling its schedule of Autumn Internationals from 2014.

The trio of four-year agreements will give Sky Sports viewers live coverage of Ireland's Guinness Series, together with France and Italy's Autumn Internationals.

With England's QBE Internationals already part of the Sky Sports rugby union schedule, viewers can now enjoy four European nations take on southern hemisphere opposition.

Announcing the new deals, Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said:"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."

He continued: "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 IRFU added:"Sky Sports has built a reputation as one of the top broadcasters of rugby over the last 10 years and are synonymous with the professional game at both provincial and international levels. The IRFU are delighted to be able to announce this partnership and believe that the quality of Sky Sports coverage of our November internationals will be a wonderful platform for Irish Rugby.

Sky Sports offers an unrivalled schedule of year round live international rugby union featuring the British & Irish Lions tour 2013, England's QBE Autumn Internationals, England women's matches, international Sevens Rugby, The Rugby Championship and much more.

This continues a series of strong major rights deals for Sky Sports, with 21 deals in the last year, including the exclusive live rights to the British & Irish Lions tour 2013 and a long term European rugby deal with the ERC.

The Sky Sports rugby union team includes some of the biggest names in the sport with over 400 caps between them. Expert analysis comes from Will Greenwood, Dewi Morris, Paul Wallace, Dean Ryan, Ieuan Evans, Scott Quinnell and Scott Hastings. Coverage throughout the season is presented by Alex Payne and James Gemmell, with commentary from Stuart Barnes, Miles Harrison, Mark Robson and Johnnie Hammond.

Sky Sports viewers can continue to follow the matches whether at home or on the move with Sky Go, available on a range of mobile devices. The comprehensive range of support programming includes the Rugby Club, plus the latest rugby union news and results available every day on skysports.com and Sky Sports News HD.

END

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