30 August 2013
S4C will focus on rugby on all level this season – from the Millennium Stadium to the grass roots of the college and school leagues.
As we look to the start of the 2013/14 season, S4C is proud to announce the Channel's rugby coverage which includes the Autumn Internationals; The Six Nations Championship; Rabo Direct Pro12 league; Heineken Cup; Principality Premiership; College and Schools rugby.
In November, Wales' international side will be itching to get back on the field to challenge southern hemisphere teams once again, in the hope of emulating the success of the Lions Tour Down Under in July. Will the momentum of the historic win transfer to the national squad as Wales come up against South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia in four autumn international matches – and then on to continued success in the 2014 Six Nations Championship?
Watch all of Wales' autumn's international and Six Nations fixtures live on Y Clwb Rygbi Rhyngwladol on S4C with the BBC Cymru Wales sport team at the helm.
In the RaboDirect Pro12, Y Clwb Rygbi will follow the fortunes of the Ospreys, Blues, Dragons and Scarlets from start to finish, with a live match every weekend on S4C. We'll be travelling to Italy for the first match, on Saturday 7 September (kick off 6.30), for a game between Treviso and Ospreys. Gareth Roberts presents with Gwyn Jones and Huw Llywelyn Davies in the commentary box and Cennydd Davies reporting from pitch side. English commentary will be available on live Rabo Direct Pro12 matches via the red button service.
The following week, we'll be at Parc y Scarlets for a live match between Scarlets v Treviso on 14 September, and then Ospreys v Edinburgh on 21 September. And as all four regions venture in to Europe the series Cwpan Heineken (produced by SMS) will offer highlights of each game along the Heineken Cup journey.
Beyond the regions, S4C is proud to announce a partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union which will see some Principality Premiership matches broadcast live on the Channel. The first match will be Llandovery v Cardiff on Sunday 15 September (kick off 2.30).
Three other Principality matches have been confirmed: Swansea v Neath, 22 September; Pontypridd v Newport, 29 September; Bedwas v Llanelli, 6 October.
And the College and Schools leagues will also be featured throughout the season. These development leagues are where players learn their craft and it’s very possible that Wales's future international stars are among them. The matches will be shown live on the S4C website, with another chance to watch in full on the Channel later the same evening.
The first match from the College leagues will be shown live online on 25 September.
Llion Iwan, S4C Content Commissioner, says, "We're proud to announce the S4C rugby schedule for the 2013/14 season and of the variety it includes - giving each level a chance to shine on the Channel. From the professional players on the International and Regional levels, to club rugby’s Principality League and the apprentices who are learning their craft on Wales's College and School fields – Welsh rugby is fully covered on S4C."
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