• S4C reveals presentation team for the upcoming Guinness PRO14 season
• BBC Wales to produce S4C's flagship rugby series, Clwb Rygbi
• S4C is the only broadcaster to have shown coverage of the league since its inception in 2001
S4C's Chief Executive says the channel is the "leading broadcaster of Welsh rugby", as the channel unveils its presentation team for its flagship rugby series ahead of the new season.
The broadcaster recently acquired rights to show Guinness PRO14 matches in Welsh for the next three seasons. The new agreement means that S4C is the only ever-present broadcaster since the inception of the Celtic League in 2001.
A total of 17 live Guinness PRO14 matches will be shown during the season, including Christmas and New Year derby matches and, should a Welsh region be involved, live coverage of the Guinness PRO14 final. Further coverage will also be available on an as-live basis. Matches will be broadcast live on television and online via S4C Clic which includes exclusive 35 day catch up. BBC Wales will continue to produce Clwb Rygbi on S4C's behalf.
The continuing coverage of the Guinness PRO14 is part of S4C's extensive and ever-growing rugby portfolio, showing rugby at all levels: from college and regional youth rugby, to age-grade international matches, to Principality Premiership and domestic cup competitions, to international matches from the Wales men's and women's teams.
Owen Evans, S4C Chief Executive, said: "Rugby is part of the fabric of life in Wales and our passionate country is well-known across the globe as one of the game's main exponents. S4C are proud supporters of Welsh rugby at every level and we offer an unrivalled portfolio as a leading broadcaster of Welsh rugby.
"The Guinness PRO14 is the main battleground for our four Welsh regions, and I am delighted that as a Welsh broadcaster, we are able to offer free-to-air coverage of one of the world's leading rugby competitions. As a broadcaster who has been there since the Celtic League began, viewers know that they will be in safe hands with our Guinness PRO14 coverage."
Gareth Rhys Owen will lead the Clwb Rygbi presentation team alongside pitchside reporter Catrin Heledd, with the professional and experienced voices of Gareth Charles and former Wales captain Gwyn Jones providing commentary. Among the pundits will be former Wales internationals Nicky Robinson, Andrew Coombs, Dafydd Jones, Deiniol Jones, Caryl James and Wales full-back Dyddgu Hywel.
The presenting line-up will be introduced to the press during S4C's Clwb Rygbi launch at the home of Welsh rugby, the Principality Stadium, on Thursday afternoon, 16 August.
Clwb Rygbi anchor presenter, Gareth Rhys Owen, said: "The Guinness PRO14 is one of the most exciting rugby leagues in the world and I'm looking forward to bringing fans all of the drama on Clwb Rygbi. We'll have the match action, discussion and analysis from our presenters and distinguished panel as we watch the teams battle it out in what is certain to be a thrilling competition."
Martin Anayi, CEO of PRO14 Rugby, said: "From the very beginning in 2001 S4C have been on the journey with us as a Championship that has seen many great moments, including six titles for the Welsh regions and an incredible evolution in the shape of the Guinness PRO14.
"To maintain that relationship is worth a great deal for everyone involved in the tournament, Welsh rugby and indeed, S4C. To provide Free-To-Air coverage with Welsh language commentary was a key goal for us when setting out our ambitions for the next three years and we hope the Welsh rugby public are just as excited about that.
"The Guinness PRO14 is a very different beast to what it was 17 years ago when the Championship took its first steps, as the tournament has grown S4C have been there every step of the way and we're delighted they will be working with us as we write the next exciting chapter."
ends
Notes for editors:
Gareth Rhys Owen is an experienced sports broadcaster who has led the Clwb Rygbi presentation team since the 2016/17 season. Gareth is an experienced rugby commentator who has earned his reputation working for the likes of BT Sport, BBC Wales and S4C. During the summer, Gareth was part of BBC 5Live's Bespoke team, bringing live commentary and daily podcasts during each stage of Le Tour de France. He has reported on a wide range of sport during his career, including coverage of the Commonwealth Games.
Catrin Heledd is a familiar face to the Welsh rugby public ac a pitch side reporter with Clwb Rygbi and Scrum V. Having covered everything from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, to UEFA Euro 2016, and the Commonwealth Games, to hosting Geraint Thomas' recent homecoming to Cardiff after his Le Tour de France win, Catrin has witnessed some of Wales' most celebrated sporting moments.
Gareth Charles is the trusted voice of Welsh rugby, and since the 2014/15 season he has been the lead commentator for Clwb Rygbi on S4C. During a seasoned career with BBC Wales, in which he has witnessed the transformation of Welsh rugby from its amateur past to its professional present, Gareth has been a continuous presence behind the mic. Since the start of his commentary career in 1985, Gareth has seen it all: from British and Irish Lions' tours, to World Cups, to 5 and 6 Nations Championships.
Dr Gwyn Jones is one of Welsh rugby's most highly respected pundits. As a player, Gwyn won 13 caps for Wales, five of which came as captain. His career as a creative yet uncompromising flanker saw him play for Llanelli and Cardiff, before a spinal injury brought his career to an abrupt end at the age of just 25. Since then, Gwyn has proved himself as an insightful commentator and analyst for Clwb Rygbi and Scrum V, whose sharp observations both on-screen and as a regular columnist for the Western Mail and Wales Online, have propelled him as one of the foremost experts of Welsh rugby.
September Fixtures on S4C:
01/09: Ulster v Scarlets - 5.00 (Live)
02/09: Cardiff Blues v Leinster – 4.15 (As Live)
08/09: Ospreys v Cheetahs – 5.15 (Live)
09/09: Scarlets v Leinster – 4.15 (As Live)
15/09: Scarlets v Benetton – 5.00 (Live)
16/09: Munster v Ospreys - 4.15 (As Live)
22/09: Dragons v Zebre - 5.00 (Live)
23/09: Cardiff Blues v Munster – 4.15 (As Live)
29/09: Scarlets v Southern Kings - 6.15 (Live)
30/09: Blues v Cheetahs – 3.45 (As Live)
How to watch S4C:
S4C is available in Wales on: Freeview -4, Virgin TV -166, Freesat -104, Sky -104
Outside Wales on: Virgin TV -166, Freesat -120, Sky -134
Watch live and on demand for 35 days exclusively via S4C Clic; online or on the app.
