Given the broadside delivered by Rugby World Cup organisers to ITV with regard to the poor coverage of the tournament, ERC will be hoping that their arrangement with terrestrial broadcasters in Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Wales will be considerably better.

ERC has negotiated a four-year package with several terrestrial stations worth £50 million in total. Welsh networks will show a live European Cup match every Friday night - the first one is the attractive clash between Cardiff and Harlequins - and BBC Grandstand will transmit a live game every Saturday.

FR2, the host broadcaster in France, have concluded a deal with Canal Plus for extended coverage. They have already designated the Bath-Toulouse clash next Saturday as an opening gambit in a high quality line-up of matches. British Eurosport has also agreed terms, and their coverage kicks-off with the game between London Wasps and Llanelli.

BBC Scotland and BBC Northern Ireland also enjoy right of access to games and this column understands that several of Ulster's matches are to be screened live if Friday night dates can be guaranteed. RTE is expected to launch its coverage by screening Leinster's game against Leicester at Donnybrook on Friday night.