S4C will be providing extensive live coverage of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Junior World Championship 2008 to be held in Wales.
Among the games shown live on S4C will be the pool matches between Wales v France (June 14) and New Zealand v Ireland (June 10)as well as the semi-finals (June 18), the third place play-off and the inaugural IRB Junior World Championship final. The latter two will be shown live on June 22 from Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.
S4C and BBC Wales are the host broadcasters for the tournament, which begins on June 6, as confirmed in an announcement by the IRB and the Welsh Rugby Union yesterday (Wednesday, May 7).
Geraint Rowlands, Content Editor Sport, S4C said, “Rugby is a key part of S4C’s television coverage and we are enormously excited at the prospect of showcasing the future stars of the game in what will be a massive tournament for the whole of Wales. We are looking forward to being involved in what promises to be a tremendously exciting event.”
"The tournament will also have a prominent stage across S4C services including the live simulcasting of our coverage on the S4C website and as video on demand for up to 35 days after each live match and highlights programme.”
WRU chairman David Pickering said, “Television is a vital tool in the promotion of rugby and this announcement adds huge value to the Junior World Championship. S4C and BBC Wales are widely respected throughout the rugby world for their high standard of rugby coverage.”
The IRB announcement comes at an exciting time for S4C’s rugby provision, with the channel also showing exclusive terrestrial highlights of the two Wales v South Africa test matches on June 7 and 14.
Geraint Rowlands added: “The IRB Junior World Championship and highlights of the two Tests against SA will offer top quality international rugby throughout June on S4C."
S4C is available in Wales on Sky Digital channel 104 and Freeview channel 4. For viewers outside of Wales, S4C is available on Sky Digital channel 134 or alternatively can be viewed on the website s4c.co.uk/sport.
For further information, follow the link below to the International Rugby Board (IRB) and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) press release.
