For couch potatoes, the television coverage of this season's Heineken European Cup might require an increase in the beer and crisp orders as a number of broadcasters increase their coverage of the top club rugby competition in Europe. Fittingly, Munster open the show.
Their Pool One match against Sale Sharks will kick-off Sky Sports' coverage of this season's competition - Declan Kidney and his side travelling to Edgeley Park for the 7.30pm start on Friday, October 21st.
The match will be the first of the 2005-06 European Cup season to be broadcast live. Ulster also kick-off their season at the same time against Benetton Treviso in Ravenhill Road, however, the game is not being televised. Mark McCall and his side must wait until their Pool Four clash with Biarritz Olympique the following week, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Coach Michael Cheika will take the first step into his three-year contract with Leinster when the Dublin team opens with a glamourous fixture against Bath on Saturday, October 22nd. With a 5.15pm kick-off time, both RTÉ and Sky Sports will broadcast the match live.
The European Rugby Cup (ERC) and broadcast partners yesterday announced dates, kick-off times and televised matches for just the first three rounds of the 11th European Cup competition.
Champions of the 2004-05 competition, Toulouse, will launch their defence of the trophy against Llanelli Scarlets in Stade Ernest Wallon with Sky Sports broadcasting the match.
Between Sky Sports, RTÉ, Welsh channel S4C and France's Sport+ a record nine of the 12 Round One matches will be televised live and eight in Round Two.
"This unprecedented television coverage for the tournament and for our broadcast partners will bring more and more of the colour, passion and excitement from across Europe's premier club rugby tournament to the developing fan base," said ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath. "The previous highest number of matches on a Pool weekend was eight and this clearly demonstrates the enhanced stature and high esteeem in which the Heineken Cup is held.
"More than 12 hours of live television action over a weekend represents fantastic exposure for all our stakeholders-the member Unions and participating clubs, our partners and rugby supporters across Europe."
