RUGBY: THE IRISH Rugby Football Union have confirmed that Ireland's final warm-up game before the World Cup, against England at the Aviva Stadium on August 27th, will not be broadcast live on terrestrial television.
Live rights for the match have been bought by Sky Sports, with RTÉ admitting it was only able to afford to broadcast two of the four Tests matches Declan Kidney’s team will play before departing for New Zealand in September.
It will mark the first home international at Lansdowne Road in generations not shown live on terrestrial television.
The situation was initially explained by an IRFU spokesman as being the result of a bidding process, where Sky Sports offered a better deal than RTÉ or the BBC.
However, the IRFU later clarified that their English counterparts only agreed to the fixture on the premise that TV rights be awarded to Sky Sports, the RFU broadcast partner for non-Six Nations internationals at Twickenham.
The IRFU subsequently agreed to this.
“We wanted to secure a fourth (international) game in August and this was the request the RFU made,” an IRFU spokesman explained. “Sky Sports will be providing all the outside broadcasting facilities so the feed will be supplied to RTÉ and the BBC at no cost.”
RTÉ and the BBC will show highlights that evening.
However, RTÉ will provide live coverage of the World Cup warm-up matches against France, the first in Bordeaux on August 13th before a return fixture in Dublin seven days later.
Broadcast rights for Scotland versus Ireland at Murrayfield on August 6th are yet to be sold, while Ireland’s non-international against Connacht on August 18th at Donnybrook is unlikely to be shown live by any station although some form of coverage should be available.
The absence from terrestrial television of Ireland against England is expected to assist ticket sales. Following a torrent of criticism over ticket prices for Ireland’s November internationals in 2010, the IRFU has reduced the cost significantly for the visit of France and England, with premium seats available for €50 and the rest ranging from €20 to €40 (schoolboy/girl tickets are €10).
When it comes to coverage of the World Cup, RTÉ will show 13 live matches, including Ireland’s pool fixtures against USA (September 11th), Australia (September 17th), Russia (September 25th) and Italy (October 2nd) as well as every knockout game. TG4 successfully purchased deferred rights which will be in direct competition with RTÉ’s evening highlights show.
Setanta Ireland secured the rights for all 52 games in the tournament.
The Irish rugby squad begins its preparation for the World Cup when a 43-man squad gathers in Carton House this Sunday.
