THE FIXTURES FOR (the Heineken Cup’s replacement tournament) the European Rugby Champions Cup were released today signalling a new dawn for the game.
Of course, that new dawn comes at a cost to supporters who now must have access to both Sky and BT Sport in order to watch their province from the comfort of home.
With today’s schedule unveiled, we are a little clearer on how we all must straddle between the warring factions.
Sky will open the new European rugby season with the Challenge Cup clash of Gloucester and Brive. That is one of only two Challenge Cup matches confirmed for broadcast (BT will show London Welsh v Bordeaux a week later).
The terms of the peace deal brokered earlier this year gave BT first choice in fixtures with English teams. So on the opening weekend they have selected Ulster’s trip to Leicester and Leinster v Wasps as part of their offering while Sky will broadcast Munster’s clash with Sale.
In round two, the provinces will be switching channels: As Ulster v Toulon and Castres v Leinster will be live on Sky Sports while Munster must either flick over to BT or head to Thomond Park to watch their side face Saracens.
Broadcast schedule for rounds one and two of Champions Cup
Sky or BT? Here's where you can watch your province in European action
THE FIXTURES FOR (the Heineken Cup’s replacement tournament) the European Rugby Champions Cup were released today signalling a new dawn for the game.
Of course, that new dawn comes at a cost to supporters who now must have access to both Sky and BT Sport in order to watch their province from the comfort of home.
With today’s schedule unveiled, we are a little clearer on how we all must straddle between the warring factions.
Sky will open the new European rugby season with the Challenge Cup clash of Gloucester and Brive. That is one of only two Challenge Cup matches confirmed for broadcast (BT will show London Welsh v Bordeaux a week later).
The terms of the peace deal brokered earlier this year gave BT first choice in fixtures with English teams. So on the opening weekend they have selected Ulster’s trip to Leicester and Leinster v Wasps as part of their offering while Sky will broadcast Munster’s clash with Sale.
In round two, the provinces will be switching channels: As Ulster v Toulon and Castres v Leinster will be live on Sky Sports while Munster must either flick over to BT or head to Thomond Park to watch their side face Saracens.
Broadcast schedule for rounds one and two of Champions Cup
Friday October 17
Harlequins v Castres (BT Sport, 19.45)
Saturday October 18
Sale v Munster (Sky Sports 13:00)
Saracens v Clermont (BT Sport 15.15)
Glasgow v Bath (BT Sport, 15.15)
Racing Métro v Northampton, (Sky Sports 17:15)
Leicester v Ulster (BT Sport, 19.45)
Sunday October 19
Ospreys v Benetton Treviso (Sky Sports 13:00)
Toulouse v Montpellier (Sky Sports 13:00)
Toulon v Scarlets (Sky Sports 15:15)
Leinster v Wasps (BT Sport, 17.15)
Friday October 24
Munster v Saracens (BT Sport, 19.45)
Saturday October 25
Ulster v Toulon (Sky Sports 13:00)
Bath v Toulouse (BT Sport, 15.15)
Northampton v Ospreys (Sky Sports 17:15)
Montpellier v Glasgow (Sky Sports 17:15)
Scarlets v Leicester (BT Sport, 19.45)
Sunday October 26
Castres v Leinster (Sky Sports 13:00)
Clermont v Sale (Sky Sports 15:15)
Wasps v Harlequins (BT Sport, 17.15)
Treviso v Racing (BT Sport, 17.15)
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Champions Cup European Rugby i can't believe it's not the heineken cup Leinster Munster not the heineken cup Provincial TV guide Ulster