{"id":131277,"date":"2021-09-15T16:25:19","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T15:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.tg4.ie\/?page_id=131277"},"modified":"2021-09-16T09:54:56","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T08:54:56","slug":"official-launch-of-brand-new-united-rugby-championship","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.tg4.ie\/en\/information\/press\/press-releases\/2021-2\/official-launch-of-brand-new-united-rugby-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"Official Launch of Brand-New United Rugby Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

RT\u00c9 and TG4 unite to bring Irish audiences over 150 hours of rugby action free-to-air. <\/p>\n

Coverage kicks-off on RT\u00c9 and TG4 on September 24. Connacht, Munster and Leinster all live in Round 1<\/strong>
\n 
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nPic: Inpho Photography – Jacqui Hurley, M\u00e1ire Treasa N\u00ed Dhubhghaill, Daire O’Brien and Gemma N\u00ed Chionnaith<\/sup>
\n <\/p>\n

As the brand-new URC is officially launched, RT\u00c9 and TG4 have announced that together they will deliver over 150 hours of world class club rugby to Irish audiences free-to-air.
\n 
\nGames involving all four Irish provinces will be live and free-to-air on Irish television as the URC kicks off its inaugural season next weekend.
\n 
\nRT\u00c9 and TG4\u2019s live, free-to-air coverage of the new United Rugby Championship begins with Connacht live on TG4 on Friday 24 September, followed by an action-packed rugby Saturday (25 September) as Leinster are live on TG4, and Munster live on RT\u00c9.
\n 
\nRT\u00c9 will broadcast live television, radio and online coverage of 26 games featuring the Irish provinces in the league, plus additional knockout matches. There will also be extensive highlights and analysis each week on Against the Head on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player.
\n 
\nTG4\u2019s Rugba\u00ed Beo will continue to be the station\u2019s flagship rugby programme and will broadcast 26 games involving Irish provincial clubs and an additional 16 games featuring international club sides. Sp\u00f3rt TG4 will also have exclusive behind the scenes action from the competition across its social media channels.
\n 
\nThe URC final will also be delivered free-to-air with RT\u00c9 and TG4 broadcasting it live on alternate years.
\n 
\nDeclan McBennett, Group Head of Sport, RT\u00c9<\/strong> said: \u201cThroughout the year RT\u00c9 Sport has seen the very best of Irish athletes compete domestically and internationally against first class opposition at an elite level. Being in a position to provide free-to-air coverage of the provinces to our audience in the newly reconstituted URC adds a further dimension to that and allows us to ensure our best rugby players are seen and seen to inspire future generations who want to one day wear their provincial and national jersey.\u201d<\/em>
\n 
\nR\u00f3n\u00e1n \u00d3 Coisdealbha, TG4 Head of Sport<\/strong> said: \u201cTG4 has been bringing interprovincial rugby to Irish Audiences since the first days of the Celtic League in 2001, and we are looking forward to taking this next step with the URC and to see the South Africa \u2018Super\u2019 teams become part of our Rugba\u00ed Beo line-up. This partnership with RT\u00c9 galvanises TG4\u2019s commitment to provide the best of sporting action to our audiences, and to making that coverage free-to-air and accessible to all fans.\u201d<\/em>
\n 
\nMartin Anayi, CEO, United Rugby Championship<\/strong> said \u201cThe widespread return of URC and the provinces to Free-to-Air television in Ireland is a real cause for excitement and we can\u2019t wait for that energy to be unleashed on the opening weekend with some cracking games on RT\u00c9 and TG4 involving Leinster and Munster against two of South Africa\u2019s heavyweights in the Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks. We have talked about the potential of our new partnership with RT\u00c9 and TG4 and now we get to see if come to life in a week\u2019s time.\u201d<\/em>
\n <\/p>\n

TG4\u2019s Rugba\u00ed Beo<\/strong><\/p>\n

TG4\u2019s Rugba\u00ed Beo lead by presenter M\u00e1ire Treasa N\u00ed Dhubhghaill, will feature expert analysis from Eimear Considine, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Niamh N\u00ed Dhroma, Marcus Horan, Ronan Loughney, Eoghan \u00d3 Neachtain and Eamonn Molloy along with a host of others. Match commentary will be provided by Garry Mac Donncha. Gemma N\u00ed Chionnaith will take over presenting duties from M\u00e1ire Treasa while she is on maternity leave later in this year<\/p>\n

URC coverage will get underway on TG4 with a bumper weekend of action. On Friday 24 September Connacht travel to Wales to take on Cardiff Rugby (7.30pm TG4 & TG4 Player). And on Saturday 25 September Leinster take on the Vodacom Bulls at the Aviva Stadium (4.50pm TG4 & TG4 Player).
\n <\/p>\n

RT\u00c9 URC Live<\/strong><\/p>\n

RT\u00c9\u2019s URC Live will be presented by Jacqui Hurley and Daire O\u2019Brien with a top-class line-up of panellists.<\/p>\n

RT\u00c9\u2019s URC Live kicks off on Saturday 25th September on RT\u00c92 and RT\u00c9 Player with Jacqui Hurley live from Thomond Park as Munster begin their campaign against the Cell C Sharks with Donal Lenihan alongside Hugh Cahill on commentary. <\/p>\n

RT\u00c9 Radio 1 and RT\u00c92fm will have full live commentary on the key games involving the Irish provinces as well as reports, analysis, and interviews throughout the season.
\nFull RT\u00c9 & TG4 fixture list below.
\n 
\nThe RT\u00c9 \/ TG4 joint TV broadcast output contract has been awarded to Iris Productions. The Galway based production company spearheaded many innovations in their previous rugby coverage on TG4, including behind-the-scenes referee briefings and audio-snoops on coaches and players. NEP Ireland will provide OB facilities.
\n 
\n <\/p>\n

RT\u00c9 & TG4 live televised fixtures<\/strong>
\n 
\nFriday 24th September<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cardiff v Connacht, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 25th September<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leinster v Vodacom Bulls, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Munster v Cell C Sharks, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Friday 1st October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connacht v Vodacom Bulls TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 2nd October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dragons v Leinster, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player<\/p>\n

Munster v DHL Stormers, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Friday 8th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ulster v Benetton, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 9th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leinster v Zebre, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player<\/p>\n

Connacht v Dragons, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Sunday 10th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scarlets v Munster, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Friday 15th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ulster v Emirates Lions, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 16th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Benetton v Ospreys, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Leinster v Scarlets, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Munster v Connacht, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Friday 22nd October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scarlets v Benetton, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Glasgow v Leinster, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 23rd October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ospreys v Munster, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player<\/p>\n

Connacht v Ulster, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Friday 26th November<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connacht v Ospreys, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 27th November<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cell C Sharks v Scarlets, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Vodacom Bulls v Munster, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Leinster v Ulster RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Friday 3rd December<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leinster v Connacht, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 4th December<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emirates Lions v Munster, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player<\/p>\n

DHL Stormers v Cardiff, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Sunday 26th December<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ulster v Connacht, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Munster v Leinster, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 1st January<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connacht v Munster, TG4 & TG4 Player<\/p>\n

Ulster v Leinster, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Friday 7th January<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leinster v Emirates Lions, TG4 & TG4 Player
\n <\/p>\n

Saturday 8th January<\/strong><\/p>\n

Connacht v DHL Stormers, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player<\/p>\n

Munster v Ulster, RT\u00c92 & RT\u00c9 Player
\n 
\n 
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

RT\u00c9 and TG4 unite to bring Irish audiences over 150 hours of rugby action free-to-air. Coverage kicks-off on RT\u00c9 and TG4 on September 24. Connacht, Munster and Leinster all live in Round 1   Pic: Inpho Photography – Jacqui Hurley, M\u00e1ire Treasa N\u00ed Dhubhghaill, Daire O’Brien and Gemma N\u00ed Chionnaith   As the brand-new URC […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":876,"featured_media":0,"parent":115587,"menu_order":41,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/template-pr.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOfficial Launch of Brand-New United Rugby Championship | Press Release | TG4<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Official Launch of Brand-New United Rugby Championship | Press Release | TG4\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"RT\u00c9 and TG4 unite to bring Irish audiences over 150 hours of rugby action free-to-air. Coverage kicks-off on RT\u00c9 and TG4 on September 24. Connacht, Munster and Leinster all live in Round 1   Pic: Inpho Photography – Jacqui Hurley, M\u00e1ire Treasa N\u00ed Dhubhghaill, Daire O’Brien and Gemma N\u00ed Chionnaith   As the brand-new URC […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.tg4.ie\/en\/information\/press\/press-releases\/2021-2\/official-launch-of-brand-new-united-rugby-championship\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TG4\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TG4TV\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-09-16T08:54:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/tg4-docs.s3.amazonaws.com\/tg4-redesign-2015\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/URC_Launch_2021_2_1920x1080.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" 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