Pro 14 - General Thread

[neill_m]

Tom Varndell has signed on loan for Scarlets from Bristol for the rest of the season.

[Dave Cahill]

BBC fails to reach Pro14 rugby TV deal

By Huw ThomasBBC Wales arts and media correspondent

Live coverage of regional rugby will not be shown on BBC Two Wales next season after the BBC failed to reach a deal to continue broadcasting the Pro14 tournament.
Competition organisers are understood to have awarded the UK rights to a pay-TV service, but BBC Wales had hoped to continue broadcasting games in Wales.
It means viewers will no longer be able to watch regional games on free-to-air television in English. Negotiations over Welsh language rights are ongoing.
In a statement, BBC Wales said it was disappointed.
"We're proud of our record of covering live Pro14 rugby across television, radio and online and we offered a significantly increased financial bid in order to safeguard these rights on a free-to-air basis for hundreds of thousands of viewers in Wales, and across the UK," it said.
"We know there will be a real disappointment at this outcome among hundreds of thousands of rugby fans who have enjoyed live free-to-air coverage on the BBC over many years."
The broadcaster said it hoped to be able to continue to offer TV highlights on a Sunday evening and would be seeking discussions with tournament organisers.
Meanwhile S4C added: "We cannot comment on ongoing commercial negotiations."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-43302261

Suggests the live English language games will be on Premier Sports in the UK and Eir Sports in Ireland with the likes of ALBA, S4C and TG4 showing the odd game live.

BBC are out entirely - BBC Wales, BBC NI and BBC Alba. Its up to Premier Sports in the UK and Eir Sports in Ireland if they can come to a sub-licensing agreement with S4C and TG4 (respectively).

[simonokeeffe]

Cant remember where I saw this on twitter, might have been blitzdefence, but Pro14 boss is saying they hope to get increased attendences out of being subscription only

[Dave Cahill]

Its kind of funny though that after all the dancing of the last couple of years with BBC, RTE, Sky et al, we're back where we were a decade ago - Setanta!

[simonokeeffe]

Its kind of funny though that after all the dancing of the last couple of years with BBC, RTE, Sky et al, we're back where we were a decade ago - Setanta!

Ha
I'd have much preferred the UK rights went to BT, and yes I feel dirty saying that, as then like here all the Welsh and Scottish sides games are on same cable package

I fear this will lead to more running down of the league in the media which wont help attendences

[Dave Cahill]

Not sure I get what you mean as regards the same cable package?

[simonokeeffe]

Not sure I get what you mean as regards the same cable package?

If all the rugby for Celtic regions is on BT(package) you just need to pay for BT you dont need to pay for sky sports

[Dave Cahill]

Not sure I get what you mean as regards the same cable package?

If all the rugby for Celtic regions is on BT(package) you just need to pay for BT you dont need to pay for sky sports

Ah, gotcha. Well they can just shift their sky sports sub over to Premier Sports I guess

[simonokeeffe]

Not sure I get what you mean as regards the same cable package?

If all the rugby for Celtic regions is on BT(package) you just need to pay for BT you dont need to pay for sky sports

Ah, gotcha. Well they can just shift their sky sports sub over to Premier Sports I guess

True but do Premier Sport have anything else to help their cause?

[neill_m]

TG4 keeping their rights to the Pro 14


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[Peg Leg]

TG4 keeping their rights to the Pro 14


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The only irish production to give the p14 its dues

[neill_m]

TG4 keeping their rights to the Pro 14


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The only irish production to give the p14 its dues

Free to Air Games - huzzah!

[neill_m]

2 more rescheduled Round 17 games this weekend:

Friday 16th March

7:35pm Cardiff v Benetton BBC2W
7:35pm Edinburgh v Munster BBC2 Scotland (970)/TG4

[neill_m]

Round 20 Games confirmed:

Friday April 13 (19.35 UK/IRE unless stated)

Cheetahs v Munster (18:35) Sky Sports Mix (Ch 121)
Glasgow v Connacht BBC ALBA/TG4
Ulster v Ospreys BBC2NI/BBC2W

Saturday April 14 (19.35 UK/IRE unless stated)

Edinburgh v Scarlets (15:15) Sky Sports Action (Ch 407)
Zebre v Dragons (16:00)
Southern Kings v Cardiff (18:35) S4C
Leinster Rugby v Benetton Rugby TG4

[neill_m]

Robin Copeland off to Connacht.

[Xanthippe]

DTH van der Merwe signs for Glasgow - with immediate effect!!

[kermischocolate]

DTH van der Merwe signs for Glasgow - with immediate effect!!

YYYYAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

This pleases me. A lot!
Although probably means Sarto is offski which is a shame as he was very unlucky with injuries.

[neill_m]

Cardiff 31-25 Benetton. 5-1 MP.

Cardiff 5 points behind the Cheetahs, the Italian lads 6 behind Ulster.

[blockhead]

Are Edinbugh this seasons Scarlets?
Beat Munster 12-6, good chance they will play Munster in the play-offs at this rate too.

[simonokeeffe]

Are Edinbugh this seasons Scarlets?
Beat Munster 12-6, good chance they will play Munster in the play-offs at this rate too.

They lack x factor