Sky Sports gain new Autumn test international rugby rights from 2014

Sky Sports have won more international rugby from 2014. They will show Ireland, Italy and France Autumn internationals.

The four-year agreements will give Sky Sports viewers live coverage of Ireland’s  Guinness  Series in a deal which continues Irish views being able to watch coverage with Sky or RTE. Sky also will show France and Italy’s autumn international matches.   Ireland’s games currently are shown on the BBC, while in recent years French and Italian matches have been on ESPN.

Sky Sports already show England’s Autumn tests, and these additions are strong ones for Sky as they have lost the Aviva Premiership domestic rugby to BT, and the future of the Heinken Cup is in doubt also…

On winning the rights Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “Our rugby union schedule has never been stronger and only on Sky Sports can viewers now enjoy such a strong line-up of live autumn internationals.

“With European teams taking on the finest southern hemisphere opposition each November, these matches make for fascinating viewing. Add these agreements to our year round coverage of rugby union, including the British & Irish Lions and Heineken Cup, and Sky Sports continues as the home of televised rugby union.”

The RBS 6 Nations (which includes all matches from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy and France) are televised and will remain on the BBC for the foreseeable future.