RUGBY:Compiled By GERRY THORNLEYand JOHNNY WATTERSON

ERC chief reiterates TV case

SPEAKING at yesterday’s Heineken Cup launch, ERC chief executive Derek McGrath reiterated his organisation’s opposition to the proposal to have the tournament listed for free-to-air television.

“As you will be aware, ERC is very concerned that the Minister for Communications, Eamon Ryan, plans to list the Heineken Cup. In previous reviews taken in 2003 and 2006, the Heineken Cup was not warranted as of sufficient national importance. We believe this position has not changed. In addition, it is important to note that the recent UK review announced this summer did not list the Heineken Cup. This, of course, would include Northern Ireland, the home of Ulster, one of the teams referred to by the Minister.

“We at ERC believe we have worked very hard to sustain the growth of a tournament which has generated huge enjoyment and success for Irish teams, fans and viewers.”

Despite these comments there was no confirmation at yesterday’s launch as to Irish television and radio coverage of the tournament. The ERC are in negotiations with Newstalk over a mooted sharing of radio commentaries with RTÉ, and also with Montrose over deferred highlights on RTÉ television of games involving the Irish provinces

Although McGrath mentioned entering new contract periods with Sky Sports, France Television, Canal Plus, Eurosport, S4C and Pitch, by contrast RTÉ were a notable omission from his address.

It is still anticipated ERC will complete a deal with Newstalk whereby they and RTÉ will share live commentaries of games involving Leinster and Munster, alternating their first picks from round to round.

It is also still anticipated a deal will be reached with all parties whereby RTÉ television can again show deferred highlights two hours after the matches. Failure to do so would arguably heighten the argument in favour of the minister’s proposal.

O’Connell sees funny side

THE Irish launch of the Heineken Cup took place yesterday in the Grand Canal Theatre at Grand Canal dock. The captains of the three Irish teams were invited along with the provincial coaches and they sat down to give their views. Paul O’Connell’s first question when he took his place at the top table with the written media was, “So Paul, were you tempted to go off to a beer festival rather than come here?”

In fairness, the big lock managed a broad smile. Derek McGrath, chief executive of the ERC, who was apoplectic when Saracens captain Steve Borthwick chose the Oktoberfest instead of the British launch, was well out of ear shot.

Mafi faces disciplinary hearing today

THE IRFU disciplinary panel will today consider a citing complaint against Munster’s Lifeimi Mafi (left) from Saturday night’s Magners League match at the Aviva Stadium against Leinster.

Mafi has been cited under law 10.4 (e) for an alleged dangerous tackle, and 10.4 (a) for allegedly punching or striking in an incident with Leinster inside centre Gordon D’Arcy in the 19th minute of the game.

The hearing will take place in the Ulster branch offices in Ravenhill, Belfast, at 4pm. It will be chaired by Hugh Logan and he will be assisted by Stephen Hilditch and Ian McIlrath.

The player was cited by the independent commissioner who was at the game.

The findings of the disciplinary panel will be released following the hearing.

Reminder of IRFU negotiating skills

WE might say this every year, but didn’t the IRFU do a decent job in negotiating the qualification requirements for the Heineken Cup for Irish clubs with the three top sides in the Magners League gaining automatic entry to the competition?

As the 16th competition begins this weekend with 24 teams, four clubs have played in every competition. Ulster, Munster and Leinster along with Toulouse have been in all editions. An all those teams have won it, too.

Five Irish players were named in the ERC Dream Team – Munster’s Anthony Foley, David Wallace and Ronan O’Gara and Leinster’s Brian O’Driscoll and, er . . . Rocky Elsom. We’ll take Rocky any day.

SATURDAY’S live coverage of Leinster’s win over Munster in the Magner’s League on TG4 achieved a high audience rating. Data from Nielsen Media Research shows about 166,000 viewers watched the entire match with the audience peaking at 313,000 and 538,000 viewing some portion of the match.